The logo for the Guardians Project. Image from U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana
Two people will be sentenced today as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe affecting the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana John Grimson Lyon, a former Bureau of Land Management official, was convicted of wire fraud, false claims and theft of government property after a trial in March. The jury determined that he covered up for a subordinate who left his post in Virginia to do contract work for the tribe. The subordinate, Larry Ray Denny, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud, false claims, theft of government property and falsely representing outside income. He received a cash award, authorized by Lyon, despite abandoning his federal job for a paid position with the tribe in Montana. At least 18 people on the Rocky Boy's Reservation have been convicted as part of the investigation. The effort -- known as the The Guardians Project in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana -- has put the state on top of a nationwide list of judicial districts with the most government corruption prosecutions. Get the Story:
US officials face sentencing in workplace fraud case (AP 7/7)
Related Stories
Chippewa Cree Tribe elects Ken St. Marks as
chair for fourth time (7/2) Chippewa Cree Tribe corruption continues with more charges (6/25)
Chippewa Cree Tribe faces additional review of federal funding (6/23)
Chippewa Cree Tribe rejects order to reinstate ousted leader (05/04)
Chippewa Cree Tribe ordered to pay $648K to ousted chairman (4/29)
Guilty pleas and sentences for Chippewa Cree Tribe corruption (04/20)
Another conviction from Chippewa Cree Tribe corruption probe (03/27)
Another guilty plea from Chippewa Cree Tribe corruption case (3/19)
Defendant disputes plea in Chippewa Cree Tribe corruption case (3/16)
Former Chippewa Cree Tribe chairman sentenced to 34 months (3/11)
Leader of Chippewa Cree Tribe ousted from office for 3rd time (3/4)
Minor setback in corruption probe on Rocky Boy's Reservation (2/23)
Chippewa Cree Tribe returns ousted leader to chairman's post (02/05)
Another guilty conviction and indictment for Chippewa Cree Tribe (1/30)
Join the Conversation
