SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Four executives within the Sault Tribe and Kewadin Casinos have resigned.
On Tuesday, the Sault Tribe Board of Directors and Kewadin Casinos Gaming Authority accepted the resignations of the tribe’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, general counsel, and the Kewadin Casinos chief financial officer. Interim appointments have been made as follows: Jessica Dumback Chief Executive Officer; Bill Connolly Chief Financial Officer; Ryan Mills General Counsel.
According to a press release, the resignations resulted from the recent class action against the Tribe and its entities, as well as the default that occurred after Tribe staff failed to make a required May 1 payment in the original settlement reached with former development partners for its proposed Lansing and Romulus casinos.
Under the previous agreement, Kewadin Casinos was obligated to pay its former partners, JLLJ Development and Lansing Future Development II, up to $35 million, of which $30 million was guaranteed. $25 million was paid in 2023, an additional $5 million was due beginning May 1, 2025.
Because the required May 1 payment was not made on time, Kewadin Casinos defaulted on its agreement and had to quickly work towards amending the settlement. As a result of this mistake, the board accepted the resignation of the four staff members at its May 13 meeting.
The amended agreement now requires Kewadin Casinos to pay $10 million to its former partners. This includes the $5 million already owed under the 2023 settlement agreement.
