Former Quapaw leaders sentenced

QUAPAW, Okla. – Two former Quapaw Tribal business leaders pleaded no contest to misusing public money and were given a one year suspended sentence.

George “Ranny” McWatters, Jr., 79, of Quapaw, and Marilyn J. Rogers, 68, of Welch, were both charged in June 2023 with two counts of abuse of office.

A “no contest plea” means McWatters and Rogers did not admit guilt, but the Tribal Court found the pair guilty.

McWatters and Rogers are former members of the Quapaw Tribal Business Committee and the Downstream Development Authority. According to the criminal complaints filed against them, they are accused of receiving severance pay not approved by the tribe’s Business Committee and extra compensation above the compensation rate set by the tribe’s Business Committee.

In addition to the severance pay, the two are charged with receiving hourly wages more than double the amount approved by the business committee.

According to the pleading filed Aug. 2, the pair was also banned for 10 years from receiving any tribal benefits except burial and death benefits. The order does not affect Indian Heath Services benefits or money from the “Bear” litigation.

No restitution was ordered after prosecutors received notice that restitution is to be resolved in a civil court.

McWatters and Rogers were also each fined $1,575.

Jack Brill, II, 55, a Neosho, Missouri-based attorney and former Downstream Casino Resort attorney, was charged with McWatters and Rogers and is accused of orchestrating the payment of $2.343 million to former Quapaw Nation officials.

Online court records show he is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 3.

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