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The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (SSM) accepted the resignation of four executives after the tribe missed a payment earlier in the month regarding the failed casino project in the Lower Peninsula. The tribe currently operates five Kewadin Casinos on the Upper Peninsula.
SSM had plans to build another casino near the Detroit area. However, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the case earlier this month, which officially ended hopes for the tribe.
SSM had already paid $25 million back to its developers, JLLJ Development LLC and Lansing Future Development II LLC, in a 2023 lawsuit. The tribe owed another $5 million on May 1, which went unpaid, thus prompting the resignation of four key roles within the organization.
SSM has made interim appointments
The tribe announced the the individuals that are stepping into interim terms for the following positions:
- CEO: Jessica Dumback
- CFO: Bill Connolly
- General Counsel: Ryan Mills
Because of the missed payment, SSM quickly had to amend the previous agreement. Instead of the $5 million payment the tribe had to pay on May 1, it now owes $7 million. The tribe could also owe an additional $5 million, which hinges on a malpractice claim against its former legal counsel, Patterson, Earnhart, Real Bird & Wilson LLP. It was originally supposed to pay back the developers nearly $89 million in 2023. However, that got reduced to guaranteed $25 million.
SSM appears to have intended on making the payment on May 1. The tribe conducted an investigation to determine why the payment was missed, and said that “those responsible will be held accountable.”
Since the tribe announced interim hires to the executive team, it appears as those roles will be temporary for the time being. SSM has not announced a timeline for a permanent CEO, CFO and General Counsel as of yet.
