My name is Austin Kitchin. From 2012 - 2016, I was employed by the Wind River Hotel and Casino. The year was 2016, and I was in the vault department, working the graveyard shift at 789 truck stop.
Around 3:00 am, I'd say mid-September, not exactly clear on the exact date, I received a call in the vault, from my manager, (then Annette Crispin,) stating that I had to authorize a check to be cashed whenever I got the call. She was very vague, offering very few details, other than to wait for the call.
At approximately 3:45 - 4:15am, I received the call and went out to the cage to authorize the check. (Per casino policy, back then, most checks had to be cleared by vault personnel, if it wasn't on the check cashing list.) While we do sometimes make exceptions to the policies, in very rare circumstances, it was still my duty to sign off and authorize any such exceptions.
I went out to the cage, and a now former council member was waiting. (Anthony Addison.) I entered the cage and began to examine the check. I could not cash it, because it was outdated. The amount was $32,000. I stated that I could not cash it, and Mr. Addison became irate. He began cussing at me, calling me white boy and whatnot. So I alerted security and called Annette. She stated that I still had to cash it, in that it was a direct order. I told her I would not, because the check expired, and in clear ink, near the top of the line, "VOID AFTER 1 year". The check was issued in 2014.
I was waiting for security to respond, while being blatantly yelled at, and threatened, so I decided to NOT wait, and call the police, and alerted the surveillance department of my move. He stood there waiting, and was demanding I give him the check. However, per the IRS rules and regulations, to which we are expected to understand and follow, a check amount that high amount, under the circumstances, I was obligated to hold the check, until reported to authorities. He was extremely upset about that, and security finally came. But they saw who it was, and did nothing. They were afraid.
Around 5 minutes later, BIA police showed up, and Mr. Addison's attitude immediately changed. He was escorted out, with no incident; however, shortly after, the police returned, and stated that I had to release the check. I understood my job, and showed the police the clause in the IRS bank secrecy act relating to this situation, and made a copy of the check, after showing proof of a sealed envelope, that would be later sent to the IRS, and eventually the FBI.
At 8am, the same day, I received a call from my manager, stating that I violated casino policy, and that I was formally terminated. I immediately set up an interview, with the then-CEO, Jim Conrad, who wanted to meet with me, ASAP that same morning, at 10 a.m.. I met with Mr. Conrad, who allowed me to keep my job after I explained the situation to him. He was a good businessman, and understood the consequences. However, I still had to meet with Annette, who took me off the schedule. I asked why, and she stated, "You're still employed; I just don't have any room on my schedule for you at the moment." After two weeks of constantly wondering when I could work, I called Jim again, who made it possible for me to transfer departments.
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