Conviction Upheld for Former Choctaw Nation Official

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  has upheld the conviction and 12-year prison sentence of a former Choctaw Nation construction director. The panel denied a motion for a mistrial Tuesday sought by Jason Merida, who was convicted in November of 2014 on two counts each of theft and tax fraud and one count each of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit bribery. The crimes happened during construction of the tribe’s Durant and Pocola casinos.