Leon Bear, the chairman of the Skull Valley Goshute Tribe of Utah, was sentenced on Monday to three years of probation for pleading guilty to one count of tax fraud.
Bear and his family were pleased with the sentence, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. But some tribal members called it a slap on the wrist.
Bear was ordered to pay the tribe $31,542 for duplicate reimbursements. Prosecutors dropped charges of embezzlement and unpaid taxes related to his support of a multi-million dollar deal to host a nuclear waste dump on the reservation.
Get the Story:Bear given three years' probation (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/28) Relevant Documents:
News Release: NRC Licensing Board Denies Utah's Motion (May 24, 2005) | Public Decision: In the matter of Private Fuel Storage (February 24, 2005) Relevant Links:
Skull Valley Goshute Tribe - http://www.skullvalleygoshutes.org
Private Fuel Storage - http://www.privatefuelstorage.com Related Stories:
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Utah senator withdraws rider against Goshute waste (6/24)
Final decision expected on Goshute waste dump (6/22)
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Utah tribe cleared for decision on nuclear waste (05/25)
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Goshute leader pleads guilty to tax fraud charge (04/15)
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Utah appeals ruling on Goshute nuclear waste dump (4/7)
Bill aimed at stopping Goshute waste dump revived (04/01)
Goshute activist pleads guilty to avoid prison (03/29)
Agency urged to reject tribe's nuclear waste dump (03/18)
Governor lobbies Norton on Goshute waste dump (03/15)
New efforts in fight against nuclear waste dump (03/10)
Editorial: Tribe needs waste dump alternative (03/04)
State gears up for fight against nuclear waste dump (2/28)
Nuclear waste dump on Utah reservation advances (2/25)
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Goshute waste dump hearings closed to public (08/10)
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Bill seeks compromise over Goshute waste dump (05/20)
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Court won't invalidate lease for Goshute nuclear dump (03/08)
Court won't halt Skull Valley nuclear waste dump (2/25)
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Goshute Tribe seeks to bar IRS enforcement (01/23)
Goshute chairman enters plea in fraud, theft case (01/21)
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Goshute chairman calls theft charges 'utterly false' (1/8)
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Norton asked to pull approval for Goshute waste site (4/25)
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