Law

Paskenta Band accuses ex-official of stealing $838K for house

Friday, February 20, 2015

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The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians in California is accusing its former economic development official of stealing $838,434.14 in order to buy a house.

The tribe said John Crosby took the money out of a bank account without authorization. A cashier's check was used to purchase the home, which is now on the market for $1.3 million.

"Unless and until they are enjoined and restrained by this court, the Crosby defendants' continued possession of the subject property and their efforts to sell it will cause great and irreparable injury to plaintiff in that the subject property could be sold without plaintiff's knowledge and permission, and the proceeds from any such sale, which rightfully belong to plaintiff, could be placed in accounts inaccessible to plaintiff," the tribe said in the complaint, Courthouse News Service reported.

The spending came to light after the tribe conducted an audit of its finances during a leadership crisis. Crosby, who is a tribal member, was removed from his position.

Four council members were suspended and later voted out of office.

Get the Story:
Tribe Says Official Swiped $838,000 (Courthouse News Service 2/20)