Michael Anthony Houser, a former accounts payable manager for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Gaming Operations Authority Board, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for theft involving programs receiving federal funds and 36 months for tax fraud. The sentences will be served concurrently. In addition to prison time, Houser must pay $17,337,949.50 in restitution to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and $8,205,834.00 to the Internal Revenue Service.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation division. Houser pleaded guilty on February 20, 2025.
Authorities said that between July 2016 and February 2024, while working as a manager at what later became Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC, Houser embezzled more than $24.9 million from funds owned or managed by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and its agencies.
Houser also failed to report these stolen funds as income when filing his federal taxes from 2016 through 2022. In one year alone—2022—he did not report over $7.8 million in income. As a result of his fraudulent filings during this period, he deprived the U.S. Treasury of more than $8.2 million.
Special Agent in Charge Kyle Smith of the Oklahoma Field Office stated: “I am proud of the work conducted by our special agents in this case to ensure that justice was brought to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The U.S. Secret Service at its origin was created to identify, monitor and bring to justice those who seek to defraud… Protecting our communities here in Oklahoma is a mission we take very seriously, and I am grateful for the strong partnership we share with the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation as we work together to bring fraudsters to justice.”
Christopher J. Altemus Jr., Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation Dallas Field Office added: “Stealing from the community you are entrusted to serve is a serious betrayal… Mr. Houser’s crimes harmed the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and undermined trust in public and tribal institutions. By stealing from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and falsifying his tax return, Mr. Houser not only defrauded his employer but also the American public… The women and men of IRS-CI are proud to have worked alongside the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma to uncover this fraud and hold Mr. Houser accountable for his crimes.”
United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson commented: “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to pursuing and prosecuting those who defraud Tribal nations in the Eastern District of Oklahoma… In this case, we were honored to join together with our partners in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and federal law enforcement to promote the mutual protection of Tribal assets and resources.”
Chief U.S District Judge Ronald A. White presided over sentencing at United States District Court for Eastern District of Oklahoma.
Houser is scheduled to self-report on November 10, 2025, at a designated Bureau of Prisons facility where he will serve his sentence without parole.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Kara Traster, T Cameron McEwen, and Clay Compton represented prosecutors during proceedings.
