TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBER CHARGED WITH THEFT FOR RAIDING CUSTOMER’S “POINTS” ACCOUNTS
Former Casino Employee Used his Position to Steal Nearly $20,000
WALTER ANTHONY MOSES, 27, an enrolled member of the Tulalip Tribe was charged yesterday in U.S. District Court in Seattle with Theft by an Employee of a Gaming Establishment on Indian Land. MOSES had been employed as a Rewards Club Supervisor until he was fired on May 22, 2008, when the thefts were discovered. MOSES was released on personal recognizance bond.
According to the criminal complaint filed in the case, in May 2008, a casino patron complained that $500 worth of “Rewards Club” points were missing from her account. Casino customers earn rewards points based on the amount of gambling they do at the casino. The points can be redeemed for merchandise, food or cash. MOSES was initially assigned to review the reported discrepancy. Four days later a second employee was asked to look into the apparent discrepancy in the account because MOSES had not addressed it. The casino investigation revealed that MOSES had debited points from a number of customer accounts and issued vouchers to his friends and relatives who then cashed the vouchers and returned some of the money to MOSES. In five days during May 2008, MOSES issued 18 vouchers for nearly $8,000 to people other than reward points customers. Surveillance video captured MOSES working at a computer terminal and then providing the voucher to a relative who cashed it in. Further investigation revealed that the thefts from the customer rewards accounts had begun as early as January and totaled nearly $20,000.
The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, the Tulalip Police Department and the Tulalip Tribal Gaming Agency.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London. Mr. London is the Tribal Liaison for the United States Attorney’s Office.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.
