Muscogee (Creek) Nation releases statement about raid at Embers Grill site
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT Neely Tsoodle
PR Manager
P.O. Box 580
Okmulgee, OK 74447
(918) 732-7617
agfbbqyr@zhfpbtrrangvba.pbz
Muscogee (Creek) Nation releases statement about raid at Embers Grill site
OKMULGEE, Okla.— On August 16, 2017 the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse served a search
warrant for 68-year-old Bim Stephen “Steve” Bruner of Tulsa for possession of unlicensed gaming devices
at the property known as Embers Grill in Broken Arrow, Okla. around 6:30 p.m. Lighthorse searched the
premise and spotted Bruner. Bruner was immediately arrested and taken into custody without resistance.
The MCN Attorney General released the following statement:
“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse police force has served an arrest warrant for Steve Bruner and a search
warrant on the Embers Grille property related to criminal charges filed against Mr. Bruner for the possession of unlicensed
gambling devices and for maintaining an unlicensed gambling premise, both of which are violations of the
Nation’s criminal statutes. Upon executing the warrants, numerous electronic gaming machines and other gaming
related equipment and devices were found inside the Embers Grill building. The Nation has also seized the property
since it is related to the commission of these crimes. The Nation has also obtained an emergency temporary restraining
order against Mr. Bruner, the Kialegee Tribal Town, and the developers to prevent further development at the site.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has followed through with the commitments stated in its June 6, 2017, letter to
Mr. Steve Bruner to take any and all actions necessary to prevent unlicensed gaming within the Nation’s jurisdiction.
In its June 6 letter the Nation advised Mr. Bruner of the possible consequences of his and others’ attempts to open an
illegal casino on his property located south of the Creek Turnpike and west of South 129th East Avenue. Mr. Bruner
and others associated with the casino development have continued to disregard the Nation’s laws and regulations by
bringing unlicensed gaming machines and other gaming related equipment on to the site and moving forward with
opening the facility, resulting in the actions taken by law enforcement this evening. The fact that gaming machines
and other gaming equipment were found on the premises makes it clear that all earlier statements that gaming was
only being considered were false, and the intent of the parties involved has always been to open an unlicensed casino.
The Nation will continue to take all actions necessary to prevent unlicensed gaming within its jurisdiction.”
The MCN Office of Public Relations will have more as information as it becomes
available. For media inquiries, please call Neely Tsoodle at: (918)732-7617.
***Update 8/17/17 4:45pm***
Bruner made his initial appearance at 11:00 am, in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation District Court in Okmulgee, Okla. Bruner was charged with one count of unlicensed possession of a gambling device and one count of gambling on premises.
Bruner did not enter a plea and chose to stand mute. The District Court entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Bruner was released on $2,500 bail.
If found guilty, Bruner could face up to one year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine for each count.
Bruner is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment Sept. 18.
***Update 8/29/17 8:03pm***
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Attorney General’s Office released a statement Aug. 29, in reference to the Kialegee Tribal Town and Red Creek Holdings, LLC, suit against MCN files in Tulsa Federal court Aug. 24.