By James Fink
Business First

Maurice John Sr., the immediate past president of the Seneca Nation of Indians, has been suspended as treasurer of the nation's Seneca Gaming Corp.

John was suspended from his duties following an investigation for what the Seneca Nation alleges is "gross misconduct and unethical behavior."

The nation alleges that approximately $120,000 in nation administrative funds was "misappropriated" by John and his top aide, Richard Frank, along with various family members and close associates.

Frank, who is John's executive assistant and councillor for the Seneca Nation, can only be removed from office via impeachment proceedings from the tribe.

The Seneca Nation has retained Michael Battle, a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York, to provide legal advice and conduct an independent review of the Nation's internal investigation findings. Battle, formerly of Buffalo, is a partner in the Washington, D.C., law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski LLC.

Neither John nor Frank returned a telephone call seeking comment.

The initial investigation findings were discussed behind closed doors during the Seneca Nation's Tribal Council meeting on Aug. 8. Following the discussion, councillors voted 10-0 to suspend John, without pay, from his post as treasurer of Seneca Gaming Corp.

Frank abstained from the vote.

"The integrity of the Seneca Nation is violated when the laws that are in place to govern our people honestly and fairly are victimized," said Jacqueline Bowen, Seneca Nation treasurer, in a prepared statement. "A theft from the nation's resources is a theft from its people."

Bowen said an internal investigation is continuing, and Battle will work closely with the Seneca Nation on the probe.

"These are never easy circumstances," said Barry Snyder Sr., Seneca Nation president. "All levels of Seneca Nation government are working together to ensure justice is carried out for all parties involved."

John was the Seneca Nation treasurer from 2004 to 2006 and was elected president in 2006, serving a two-year term that expired last November,

He has been treasurer of Seneca Gaming Corp. since 2004.

Frank was elected in 2006 to a four-year term as Seneca tribal councillor from the nation's Allegany territory.