Robert Salgado has been placed on leave as the chairman of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians of California after pleading not guilty to bribery charges.

Salgado, 67, is accused of soliciting more than $250,000 in bribes from four vendors that did business with the tribe. He allegedly told the companies that they needed to pay him in order to maintain or obtain contracts.

Federal prosecutors also say Salgado hid his true income from the Internal Revenue Service. The indictment covers the years 2001 through 2006

"I'm still chairman. I'm just on leave," Salgado told The Riverside Press-Enterprise. "I'll always be the leader; the Creator put me in that position. They're just allegations and we'll see how the dust settles."

Get the Story:
Soboba chairman, facing bribery charges, placed on leave by tribe (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 11/4)
Soboba chair pleads not guilty, placed on leave (AP 11/3)
Soboba Tribal Chairman Pleads 'Not Guilty' To Accepting Bribes (KESQ 11/3)
Indicted tribal chairman placed on leave (The Los Angeles Times 11/3)

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Column: Soboba Band hurt by leader's indictment (10/28)
Soboba Band leader accused of accepting bribes (10/26)