A view of Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation in Washington. Photo from Makah Nation
A former council member for the Makah Nation of Washington was sentenced to six months in prison for stealing from the tribe. Ryland Chad Bowechop, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conversion from an Indian tribal organization. He admitted that he used a tribal credit card for about $30,000 in personal expenses. “Not only did this defendant steal $30,000 from his own tribe, but he betrayed the trust of the people he was supposed to serve,” U. S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes said in a press release. “The loss of funds is significant, but can be remedied. The loss of trust has impacts that are much harder to repair.” Bowechop was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to the tribe. Get the Story:
Bellingham man gets prison for embezzling $30k from Makah tribe (The Bellingham Herald 5/14)
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