Federal authorities have laid more charges in a corruption scandal involving the Crow Tribe of Montana.

Kelly Dee Passes, the tribe's former finance director, and Elliot Mountain Sheep were indicted with conspiracy to defraud the tribe and theft of tribal funds. Dee Passes, who has already been indicted on other fraud charges, was also charged with obstruction of justice.

Passes and Mountain Sheep are accused of taking part in a scheme in which tribal funds were used to pay the legal defense of former chairman Clifford G. Bird in Ground. Passes allegedly wrote up fake contracts for Mountain Sheep, who then took the money and gave it to Bird in Ground.

Bird in Ground pleaded guilty to stealing from the tribe in a scheme involving the sale of vehicles to tribal members and others. He challenged is plea but it was upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last month.

Get the Story:
New charges filed in Crow fund scandal (The Billings Gazette 9/1)

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