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Casino Arizona Audit Nears End

ARIZONA – As reported by the Arizona Republic: "Auditors poring over Casino Arizona books for two months have found inconsistencies with internal controls for the bustling gambling business but no evidence of malfeasance, according to preliminary audit findings released Thursday.

"`There isn't any indication of wrongdoing,' said Jacob Moore, spokesman for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, which owns and operates Casino Arizona and Casino Arizona at Talking Stick.

"Moore attributed the internal control issues and other operational matters to the casinos' recent rapid growth outpacing procedural checks and balances. Audit specifics won't be available until after the probe is completed later this month.

"…Seeking assurances that its booming gambling operation was being run as efficiently as possible, Salt River's Tribal Council, with five of nine members new since December, hired auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct an administrative audit.

"The audit raised eyebrows and spawned rumors of missing money. Tribal officials launched the audit on Aug. 21 by sequestering some employees for 2 1/2 hours to secure computer and other records. Officials also placed nine managers, including President and CEO Jon Jenkins, on paid leave.

"…The audit has taken longer than expected because of its complexity, in part driven by the increasingly sophisticated gambling systems and equipment that have evolved in recent years, Moore said…"

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