Louisiana tribal leader accused of misusing $350,000 in casino finances
Jonathan Cernek, who served as chairman of Louisiana’s Coushatta Tribe until stepping down in August 2024, is now the subject of a federal investigation into allegations of financial misconduct. Authorities are looking into whether Cernek misused hundreds of thousands of dollars tied to the Coushatta Casino Resort during his time in office.
The investigation, involving the FBI, the National Indian Gaming Commission, and the Louisiana State Police, is centred on the casino’s financial operations. The resort, located near Lake Charles, is one of the tribe’s main sources of income and plays a central role in funding community services.
Cernek, a longtime Tribal Council member and former state vice president, had built a reputation for leadership within the community. But that legacy is now in question. Native News Online first reported on the investigation, which has already prompted several senior tribal members to either resign or distance themselves from the situation.
Focus on misuse of casino credit cards
At the core of the probe are claims that Cernek made personal purchases totalling around $350,000 using two credit cards linked to the casino. A witness with first-hand knowledge of the charges has reportedly been interviewed by the FBI in a session that lasted three hours.
That witness told Native News Online the spending was “unrelated to the operation of the Coushatta Casino Resort.”
The revelations have shocked members of the community, particularly given Cernek’s previous work on behalf of tribal elders. “This is a big deal. People are talking about it. It was difficult to stomach what was happening, especially because the chairman was doing good things for tribal elders,” said a former casino employee quoted by the publication.
Authorities have also flagged seven individuals in Louisiana for questioning, suggesting the investigation may reach beyond Cernek himself.
There’s also growing speculation that the case could touch on the $150 million expansion project at the casino. While no formal link has been confirmed, the scale of the development has raised questions about financial oversight and how tribal funds have been managed.
Leadership gap and rising concerns
With Cernek gone, the tribe is currently without a chairman, and no official plans to name a successor have been announced. The absence of leadership comes at a sensitive time, as casino revenues support a wide range of services for tribal members, from infrastructure to health and social programmes.
Federal investigators haven’t made any public statements about the case yet. With little official information to go on, uncertainty is spreading , not just among tribal members, but in the wider community as well.
The situation has also stirred deeper conversations around leadership and responsibility in tribal governance. While some still acknowledge the positive work Cernek did in the past, many are now calling for greater openness and stricter oversight moving forward.
Whether or not charges are filed, the outcome of the investigation could have long-term consequences. Not just for Cernek, but for how tribal leadership is perceived and how Native gaming operations are held to account.
