Eight members of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe have been charged in federal court with conspiracy to embezzle federal funds belonging to the tribe's Vocational Rehabilitation Program, administered by the tribe based in Fort Totten, N.D.
U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon, top federal prosecutor for North Dakota including serious felonies on American Indian reservations, said Wednesday in a news release that all eight pleaded not guilty earlier this month in federal court in Grand Forks and are scheduled for trial July 12, also in Grand Forks.
Earlier, a federal grand jury indicted the eight: Martina Kazena, William Kazena, Raymond Jetty III, Tanya Jetty, Shaela Jetty, Lorna Walking Eagle, Rochelle Walking Eagle and Bruce Walking Eagle.
The indictment alleges the eight "did willfully embezzle, steal and misapply property, moneys, funds and credits" belonging to the rehab program.
On the tribe's website, Martina Kazena is identified as the vocational rehab project's director, while Tanya Jetty is the program's compliance officer.
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The vocational rehab program aims at helping "people with disabilities get and keep jobs," according to the website. Only those with physical, mental or learning disabilities qualify and the help includes such things as helping people fill out job applications, buying them new glasses or vehicle tires so they can get to and perform a new job, according to the website.
The maximum penalty for a conviction on the federal conspiracy charge is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Janice Morley is prosecuting the cases.
Earlier this year, five other tribal members, including two tribal council members, pleaded not guilty to similar charges involving funds allegedly embezzled from a federal fuel assistance program administered by tribal officials. Morley also is prosecuting those cases.
Reach Lee at (701) 780-1237; (800) 477-6572, ext. 237; or send e-mail to slee@gfherald.com .
