Coeur d’Alene Casino CEO accused of battery; alleged victim is brother, a former Coeur d’Alene Tribe police chief

Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel CEO Francis SiJohn was arrested in Post Falls early Tuesday morning for the alleged battery of his brother, former Coeur d’Alene tribal police Chief Cody SiJohn.

According to a police report, Cody SiJohn said he was “hit by two guys,” Francis SiJohn, 50, and a boy, at his Post Falls home around 2:30 a.m. following an argument in Spokane, where the brothers were having drinks.

After the argument, Cody told police, he went back to Post Falls, where he said Francis said he would be “bringing guys.” About five minutes later, Cody said a car pulled up to his home, and when he walked outside, he was struck by two men.

Cody’s wife, Denise SiJohn, said that she could see two men – Francis and the boy – beating Cody.

Cody, 40, suffered four lacerations on his face and some on his ears, according to the police report.

After Cody’s wife called to report the incident, a police officer en route to the scene saw a vehicle matching the description of the alleged assailants. The vehicle reportedly didn’t have its taillights on.

The officer pulled the vehicle over near Poleline Avenue and Spokane Street, according to police. It was occupied by a boy, who was driving, and Francis.

According to the reporting officer, the left side of Francis’ face was swollen, and he couldn’t open his eye. The report also noted Francis had blood on his face, hands and pants. Francis told personnel at Kootenai Health that he was “injured due to a fall.”

When the officer asked Francis what had happened, he said that he had been in a “tangle.” A pair of nunchucks were later found in the vehicle, the report said.

Both males in the vehicle were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. Francis later bonded out of Kootenai County Jail. The boy was sent to Kootenai County Juvenile Detention Center.

A longtime employee of the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, which is located in Worley, Idaho, on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, Francis SiJohn was named CEO in September 2016.

The casino said it wouldn’t comment on its employees.

Cody SiJohn was the Coeur d’Alene tribal police chief from 2012-15 before accepting a position with the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a criminal investigator.