Michael Anthony Houser, 36, formerly of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and 36 months for tax fraud. The sentences will run concurrently. Houser must also pay $17,337,949.50 in restitution to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and $8,205,834.00 to the Internal Revenue Service.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. Houser pleaded guilty on February 20, 2025.
Investigators found that between July 2016 and February 2024, while working as a manager for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Gaming Operations Authority Board—later known as Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC—Houser embezzled over $24.9 million from funds owned by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and its agencies.
In addition to embezzlement, Houser did not report the stolen money as income when filing federal taxes during this period. From 2016 through 2022, he intentionally underreported his adjusted gross income to the IRS. In tax year 2022 alone, he failed to report more than $7.8 million in income. His fraudulent filings resulted in a loss of over $8.2 million in tax payments owed to the U.S. Treasury.
Special Agent in Charge Kyle Smith of the U.S. Secret Service Oklahoma Field Office said: “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 of IRS Criminal Investigation Dallas Field Office stated: “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 added: “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 facility designated by the United States Bureau of Prisons.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kara Traster, T. Cameron McEwen, and Clay Compton prosecuted the case.
