Michael Anthony Houser, a former resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has pleaded guilty to charges of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and tax fraud. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
According to the Information, between July 2016 and February 2024, Houser served as a manager for both the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Gaming Operations Authority Board and later for Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, LLC. During this time, he allegedly embezzled property valued at $5,000 or more from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Additionally, it was alleged that Houser willfully filed a false 2022 Form 1040 U.S. Individual Tax Return under penalties of perjury.
The investigation leading to these charges was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.
The plea was accepted by U.S. Magistrate Judge Gerald L. Jackson in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. Following his plea, Houser was released on a personal recognizance bond while awaiting sentencing.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kara Traster and T. Cameron McEwen.