Former Ho-Chunk Nation vice president enters guilty plea

Wednesday, April 11, 2012  

Clarence P. Pettibone, a former vice president of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges on Tuesday.

Pettibone, 53, admitted he accepted bribes from a company that wanted to business with the tribe. He steered a $250,000 contract to a Kentucky mortgage company, federal prosecutors said.

The scheme lasted from 2002-2009. During that time, Pettibone served as vice president and chairman of the tribe's finance committee.

Two other people -- Timothy G. Whiteagle and Deborah Atherton -- were also charged. They are scheduled to go to trial July 23.

Get the Story:
Former Ho-Chunk legislator pleads guilty in bribery case (The Madison State Journal 4/11)
Former tribal legislator pleads guilty to bribery (AP 4/11)
Area tribal official pleads guilty in multi-million dollar case (WOOW-TV 4/10)