Law

More criminal cases filed in thefts from Chippewa Cree Tribe

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Two new criminal cases, plus a third involving a previously indicted person, have been filed in connection with thefts from the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana.

In one case, Shad Huston, the former president of a school board on the reservation, was charged with embezzlement and conspiracy. He is accused of accepting contracts with a tribal business in order to provide kickbacks to a tribal executive.

The second case involves the same executive, Chippewa Cree Construction Corp. CEO Tony Belcourt and his wife, Hailey Belcourt. They are accused of stealing money that was supposed to help the tribe recover from disastrous floods.

Belcourt has now been charged in four separate indictments and faces 19 counts. His wife has been charged three times.

In the final case, Garcia Duran was charged with stealing money from the tribe's health clinic. The CEO of the tribe's health board was previously indicted.

At least four other people have been charged in corruption cases on the reservation since the start of this year.

Get the Story:
Indictment reveals kickback charges (The Havre Daily News 10/30)
Ex- school board chief charged (The Havre Daily News 10/29)
Former Chippewa Cree tribal leader faces new embezzlement charges (AP 10/29)
Rocky Boy clinic employee charged (The Havre Daily News 10/28)