Ex-casino CEO wants changes to tribal constitution

David Matheson, ousted CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Casino, will hold a press conference today to discuss proposed amendments to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s constitution, including the use of gaming profits to pay a $1,000-per -month stipend to each member of the tribe.

Matheson, 54, was fired in late May. Days before he was dismissed, Matheson sent a letter to the tribe’s 1,900 members, suggesting that the casino was profitable enough to increase the payments. Enrolled members currently receive about $2,000 each semi-annually through a profit-sharing plan.

Chief James Allan, chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, called the plan “ill-considered and misguided” in a follow-up letter to tribal members, saying it would force the casino into debt and bankrupt tribal departments.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Matheson outlined three other proposed constitutional amendments:

• Elect the tribal council’s chairman or chairwoman by a popular vote of tribal voters, rather than having the council make the choice.

• Allow tribal voters to recall council members in case of dishonesty, misconduct or willful neglect of office.

• Disqualify people with felony records from serving on the council.

A press conference planned for last week was canceled after Matheson received a death threat, according to the press release. The threat was reported to the FBI, the release said. Matheson did not return phone calls seeking comment.

FBI officials said they could not comment on whether a threat was made or if they were investigating.

According to a Matheson family spokesman, the threat appeared on a Web log maintained by a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe who lives in Minnesota. David Newberger, who writes the CdA Times blog, said no threatening material was posted on his blog.

Matheson worked for the casino for 13 years, building it into one of Kootenai County’s largest employers. About 800 people work for the casino and its connecting hotel and golf course.

Quanah Spencer, spokesman for the tribal council, declined to comment directly on Matheson’s press release but said constitutional amendments require majority approval from voters.

A proposed amendment can be placed on the ballot by the council or through a referendum process.

A referendum requires 30 percent of the tribe’s voters to sign petitions asking that the measure be place on a ballot.

If a constitutional amendment is approved, it must also be reviewed by the Department of the Interior’s legal staff, a process that can take “days or years,” Spencer said.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe distributes casino profits to members through a profit-sharing plan outlined in the tribal code.

Spencer declined to comment on Matheson’s assertion that the casino is on track to earn $40 million or more in profits this year.

The tribal council, however, is preparing to distribute $1.3 million in gaming revenue to Idaho schools.

The money represents 5 percent of net gaming revenue, which means the casino earned about $26 million last year.