"The federal corruption investigation at the Crow Creek reservation didn’t go far enough.

The bribery and conspiracy trial of tribal chairman Duane Big Eagle was a window into the financial mess there.

During the trial, former chairman Lester Thompson Jr. testified that when he took office in 2006, succeeding Big Eagle, the tribal government owed $4 million to the IRS.

Someone needs to explain how this happened.

The Crow Creek tribal government derives its authority, and receives most of its funding, from the federal government. How then did Crow Creek get $4 million into debt on federal payroll taxes?

The taxpayers of the American general public deserve answers."

Get the Story:
Bob Mercer: Bribes, lies and debt - Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is a disaster (The Mitchell Daily Republic 8/8)

Relevant Documents:
Indictment: US v. Big Eagle (October 12, 2010)

Related Stories:
Former chairman of Crow Creek Sioux Tribe convicted of bribery (8/5)
Trial of Crow Creek Sioux Tribe leader delayed until August (6/9)
Crow Creek Sioux chair remains in office despite bribery charges (12/15)
US Attorney recused in Crow Creek Sioux Tribe chairman's case (10/14)
Duane Big Eagle, chairman of Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, arrested (10/13)
Editorial: No more controversy for Crow Creek Sioux Tribe (5/6)
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe inaugurates leader after close vote (5/5)
Ousted Crow Creek Sioux Tribe chair challenges election (4/23)
Crow Creek Sioux chair loses reelection bid by 11 votes (4/20)
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe removes leaders after guilty pleas (3/30)