![](http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2008/0905/20080905__ut_utesue_0905~1_Gallery.jpg)
The Southern Ute Tribe of Colorado says its former financial adviser who is the subject of a fraud lawsuit might have exaggerated his record. The tribe hired John Jurrius as the first director of its Southern Ute Growth Fund. But he was not responsible for the tribe's financial success, according to a statement provided to The Durango Herald. "He also assisted the tribe in establishing comprehensive banking relationships and in identifying several investment opportunities," the tribe said. "The building blocks for the tribe's success, however, had been established long before John Jurrius entered the scene." After he left the Southern Utes, Jurrius worked for the Northern Ute Tribe Tribe in Utah. A lawsuit accuses him breach of contract and fraud over millions of dollars of economic development and energy matters. Jurrius has refuted the claims. He now runs a company that is seeking other tribal clients. Get the Story:
Southern Ute tribe comments on Jurrius fraud case (The Durango Herald 9/18) Indian Country Today Series:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Related Stories:
Ex-financial adviser denies cheating Ute Tribe (09/05)
Ute Tribe accuses former financial adviser of fraud (9/4)
Ute Tribe banishes former financial adviser (6/25)
Status of Ute Tribe's financial adviser disputed (10/12)
Ute Tribe's longtime financial adviser resigns (10/1)
Northern Ute chairwoman, incumbents ousted (4/13)
Ute Tribe's financial adviser paid $52K a month (9/25)
Northern Ute leader wants more data on finances (7/6)
Northern Ute Tribe launches oil and gas company (10/28)
Ute Tribe elects candidate critical of finances (4/21)
Upset Utes want Ross Swimmer fired over trust fund (04/01)
Judge tosses lawsuit over BIA role in tribal finances (10/21)
Ute tribal members sue BIA over tribal finances (10/23)
Ute tribal election said tainted by endorsement (4/23)