May 17, 1997
Mr. David R. Barnes, Special Agent
United States Department of the Interior
Office of Inspector General, Central Region Investigations
St. Paul Sub Office
375 Jackson Street, Room 610
St. Paul Minnesota 55101.0949

Dear Mr. Barnes,

We the concerned Tribal Members of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community (Mole Lake Indian reservation) are requesting your office to utilize two criminal Statutes to investigate our allegations of criminal wrongdoing by elected tribal officials and others associated with our tribal operations and casinos. Both statutes are found in Title 18 U.S.C.

We not only have made allegations which are needed to initiate an investigation, we have proof and cite the following statue;

Under title 18 U.S.C. 1163 Embezzlement and theft from Indian tribal organizations and under title 18 U.S.C. 666 Theft or bribery concerning programs receiving Federal Funds which includes(s), embezzlements and misapplication of funds from both the tribal operations and any gaming and/or business enterprises owned and operated by the band.

Since the DOI has trust responsibility for Indian lands and programs we as concerned members of the Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa request you to begin an investigation immediately. Please, see the February 18, 1997 memo from yourself to Arlyn Ackley.

We have utilized various avenues to have the current situation rectified, but to no avail. We have received NO cooperation or action from your Agency in the DOI. It is your responsibility to protect the people of our Tribe and need immediate assistance to rectify internal corruption.

On, January 8, 1 997-Coleen Poler, Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal member, contacted Mr. Jaeger, Superintendent of BIA in Ashland, WI., in regards to corruption and electioneering. Enclosed is Superintendent Jaeger's response. Please, see enclosed correspondence. Please note Mr. Jaeger's last statement of correspondence of January 14, 1997. To date there has been no dialog with our corrupt tribal government. The government to government relationship so guaranteed by the BIA under the Indian Self-Determination Act is thus null and void. Mr. Jaegar has publicly said he will not get involved in our most recent initiative to call for independent audit of all local, state, federal programs as well as tribal casino operations.

On May 1, 1997 concerned Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal community members were forced to take direct action by peacefully occupying Tribal Headquarters in order to protect existing records and documents. To date, the DOI/BIA has failed in their trust responsibility to take immediate and necessary corrective action which can be evidenced by the February 18, 1997 letter from yourself to the tribal administration.

We call upon your office at this time to assist and coordinate with the U. S. Attorney and concerned Tribal members in this effort in order to audit/review the materials and documentation supporting our allegations.

Another major concern to the concerned members is the well established political connections existing between the Madison based law firm Brennan, Steil, Bastings & MacDougall and Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson. In early 1996 the State of Wisconsin sued the United States Environmental Protection Agency challenging the EPA's Treatment As State (TAS) designation granted to the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and the tribes authority to establish water quality standards on tribal waters. Central to the state's argument is the authority to regulate upstream discharge of contaminants into waters entering tribal lands and the future granting of State permits that would potentially allow for an elevated level of discharge whose source in this case will be the Crandon Mining Company (Exxon) metallic sulfide copper-zinc mine.

In an obvious conflict of interest and ethical violation the Brennan, Steil, Bastings & MacDougall law firm with close political and personal ties to Governor Thompson have been retained by the Sokaogon Chippewa Community by the Ackley administration to defend the litigation brought against the Tribe by the State of Wisconsin. Please note that George Steil of the firm currently sits on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents which is an appointed gubernatorial position.

George Steil maintains position in the top echelon of Wisconsin Republican politics and shares a seat on the UW Board of Regents with Michael Grebe of the Milwaukee based law firm Foley & Laudner. Foley & Laudner represents Exxon and has represented Exxon (Crandon Mining Company) in various suits against the Sokaogon Chippewa including the twelve-square mile suit which the Sokaogon claimed was promised Treaty land and is within the area that Exxon is proposing to develop the Crandon mine. Thompson's personal attorney is also a member of the Brennan, Steil law firm and within the past year and one-half senior partner Bastings was appointed by James Klauser to conduct a legislative investigation involving a minority legislator.

James KIauser, former Exxon lobbyist served as Thompson's Secretary of Administration until his recent departure into the private sector with recent media linking Klauser to Indian gaming on the LacDuFlambeau reservation. Further, Kevin Potter (former Wisconsin U.S. Attorney) of Brennan, Steils, Bastings and MacDougalI, S.C. is also retained by the Sokaogon Chippewa to represent the tribes gaming interests and currently retains a seat on the gaming board that is currently negotiating the Four Feathers/Hudson Casino venture at Hudson Wisconsin near St.Paul Minnesota.

I, Coleen Poler, Sokoagon Chippewa concerned Tribal Member, have contacted various Justice/Law Environment personnel in regards to Arlyn Ackley's habitual parole violations, and have been told by the Wisconsin Parole and Probation Department, Forest Sheriff's Department, U.S. DEA personnel and Wisc. Attorney General's office that they have no jurisdiction over habitual parole and probation violators. The contacted Law Enforcement agencies/personnel have refused to put these facts in written statements regarding my personal or telephone requests for information. As a voting citizen of the State of Wisconsin and the United States find this to be a travesty of justice. Since the lawmakers and law-enforcement departments have no jurisdiction over Arlyn Ackley, a convicted drug felon, I'm lead to believe Mr. Ackley has a 'get out of jail free card' from the office of Governor Tommy Thompson. For example, documentation will show that Mr Ackley has used tribal funds to pay the Forest County Sheriff's Department to escort him, while incarcerated, to tribal council meetings. Mr. Ackley has used tribal funds to pay legal fees to a law firm used to represent him when he does violate probation He has used tribal funds to pay fines and various other (gambling excursions) personal expenses and still the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, the Wisconsin U.S. Attorney the Bureau of Indian Affairs/DO refuse to act on our concerns. Our commitment is to remain in the Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal offices and peacefully occupy the building until decisive action is taken.

We can be reached at 715/367-29O2; web page http://www.ienearth.org

Please respond immediately THANK YOU.

Sincerely,

Coleen Poler
Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal Member &
All Concerned Tribal Members

Enclosures:

cc. CBS News-New York, NY
ABC News-Chicago, ILL
CNN-Atlanta, GA
Senator Russ Feingold-WI
Senator Herb Kohl-WI
Senator Roger Breske-WI
Mr. Larry Morrin-BIA Area Dir.-Minn
David A. Carson-U.S. Dept of Justice-Co.
Hilda Emanuel-Acting Dir. BIA-Wash D.C.
Joanne Fleishman - Deputy Dir. OIG-Wash.D.C.
George Skibine - Dir. Indian Gaming- Wash D.C.
Spencer Black
Lorraine Seratti