TRIBAL
EMPLOYEE LOUELLA OLDBEAR FOUND GUILTY
OF EMBEZZLEMENT OF TRIBAL MONIES AND
MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT TO THE FBI
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA-
A former employee of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma was found
guilty Thursday by a federal jury of embezzling funds from the Tribes
and making a false statement to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Louella Oldbear,
56, of Del City, Oklahoma was convicted following a three-day trial on
five felony counts and one misdemeanor count of embezzling funds from
the Cheyenne-Arapaho Emergency Assistance Program. She also was convicted
of making a false statement to the FBI about the use of tribal money to
purchase vehicles.
During 2003, Oldbear
served as Secretary to Tribal Business Committee member Roy Dean Bullcoming,
who represented Cheyenne District 1. The government presented testimony
that in late 2003 Oldbear embezzled more than $13,500 in tribal funds
from the emergency assistance program to purchase a vehicle for her own
use and embezzled an additional $3,500 in tribal funds to repair a second
vehicle. The government also presented evidence that she provided a false
statement to the FBI about the purchase of vehicles with Cheyenne District
1 monies.
The Tribes' emergency
assistance program was funded by net gaming revenues received from the
Lucky Star Casinos. During the trial, Tim Harper, an official of the National
Indian Gaming Commission, testified that revenues from the casinos could
only be used for limited tribal government purposes. Additionally, the
government presented evidence that the Tribes had authorized the use of
emergency assistance program funds only for limited purposes such as emergency
medical needs, temporary shelter, and transportation for emergency situations
such as terminal illness of immediate family members or funerals.
The jury deliberated
approximately three hours before finding Oldbear guilty on all counts.
She is the sixth Cheyenne-Arapaho tribal member convicted in an ongoing
corruption investigation being conducted by the FBI.
"It is the United
States' responsibility to prosecute to the fullest, those who steal or
divert money from a tribe for personal benefit," Richter said. "These
tribal funds were intended to be used for the benefit and welfare of all
members of the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribes and were not to be treated as the
personal funds of a corrupt employee. As this verdict indicates, anyone
who steals from a tribe will be brought to justice for their corrupt acts,"
Richter said.
Oldbear faces possible
imprisonment of up to 5 years for each felony count, a fine of $250,000
and court cost of $100. She may be imprisoned for up to 1 year for the
misdemeanor count and be required to pay a fine of up to $100,000. The
court may also order the payment of restitution to the Cheyenne-Arapaho
Tribes. The sentence actually imposed will be determined by the court,
following completion of a presentence investigation by the United States
Probation Office.
"Prosecuting cases involving corruption in tribal government and
embezzlement of tribal and casino funds will continue to be a priority
in the U.S. Attorney's Office." Richter encouraged individuals who
had knowledge of crimes occurring on Indian land to report such information
to the FBI. The FBI recently established a toll free number 1-877-OK-TRIBE
to report such crimes, he said.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Special
Agent Christian Landolt and Special Agent John McLemore and was prosecuted
by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arvo Mikkanen.
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