The flag of the Yakama Nation. Image from AAANativeArts

Fifteen people have been charged in the connection with the theft of $179,000 from the Yakama Nation of Washington.

Federal authorities say the money was stolen from the tribe's higher education program. Checks were issued to people who weren't enrolled in college, according to the indictment.

"Due to the information provided by the applicants, the [scholarship] applications were approved," the indictment stated. "The colleges and universities identified by the defendants provided documentation that the defendants were not enrolled and/or not completing coursework."

The interim manager and the former manager of the Yakama Nation Higher Education Program were among those indicted. They approved the fraudulent applications, federal authorities said.

Turtle Talk has posted the indictment in the case, US v. Gardee.

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Feds accuse 15 people of stealing Yakama Nation scholarship funds (The Yakima Herald-Republic 1/29)