Kiowa Tribe Impeaches Chairman Who Hobnobbed with South Korean ‘Cult’

• Kiowa lawmakers unanimously impeach Chairman SpottedBird over alleged financial misconduct
• Controversial Korea trip tied to Good News Mission draws scrutiny
• Casino oversight dispute and $300K trustee stipends central to impeachment

The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma has impeached its chairman after tribal lawmakers found he misused tribal money and mishandled casino-related finances.

On March 2, the Kiowa Tribe Legislature voted unanimously to remove Chairman Lawrence SpottedBird, following a public hearing in Lawton, Okla. The vote also barred him from holding tribal office for four years, KSWO reported. Lawmakers brought seven charges, most related to alleged financial mismanagement or violations of tribal law.

The tribe operates four casinos in southwestern Oklahoma, including the Kiowa Casino & Hotel in Devol, close to the Texas border.

Good News/Bad News

One of the most unusual issues raised during the impeachment involved a 2024 trip to South Korea by SpottedBird and his wife, which involved a meeting with representatives of the Good News Mission, a controversial religious movement founded by Ock Soo Park, which critics have labeled a cult.

SpottedBird serves on the board of something called Indigenous Leaders of North America Inc (ILNA), which, despite its name, is a non-profit tied to the Good News Mission. Records reviewed by NonDoc show ILNA invoiced the tribe for $1,200 for attending the meeting and $3,900 for attending another event in 2025.

Casino Payments

A major focus of the impeachment involved the Kiowa Casino Operations Authority (KCOA), the body that oversees the tribe’s gaming enterprise. Lawmakers alleged that more than $300,000 in stipends were improperly paid to KCOA trustees, and that SpottedBird failed to address the issue.

This also caught the attention of federal regulators. The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) sent the tribe a letter of concern in November 2023, warning the trustee compensation issue could put the tribe out of compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Other charges involved a $50,000 payment described as an investment in a business venture, which lawmakers said lacked a written contract or formal agreement, as well as personal expenses allegedly charged to tribal accounts. These included airfare and purchases by the chairman’s spouse.

SpottedBird, who was elected chairman in July 2022, said he did not agree with the decision to impeach him but would respect it. He also criticized the process, arguing the legislature effectively served as both judge and jury, as reported by NonDoc.

After the vote, Vice Chairman David Sullivan was sworn in as chairman. SpottedBird said he intended to support Sullivan during the transition.