Kevin Edwards, a former vice chief of the
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and his wife have been indicted on federal fraud charges.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office,
Edwards and his wife,
Sheena A. Edwards, submitted false invoices to the tribe for his travel. The pair also engaged in bank-related fraud and money laundering, federal prosecutors said in a
news release on Monday.
The conduct at issue occurred between March 2015 and June 2017. Edwards served as vice chief during that time and made an
unsuccessful bid for
chief in 2015.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Edwards is charged with one count of theft or embezzlement from a tribal organization, two counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to launder money, two counts of money laundering, and three counts of false statements to a bank. Some of the alleged crimes related to instances in which he said he was still employed by the tribe after he had stepped down from the council in June 2017, federal prosecutors said.
Sheena Edwards is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, two counts of money laundering, and one count of false statements to a bank.
The case is
U.S. v. Kevin Edwards and Sheena E. Edwards, No. 3:19-cr-00037. It was originally filed under seal in February of this year.
Read More on the Story
Former Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians official, wife indicted
(The Mississippi Clarion Ledger October 7, 2019)
Former Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian official, wife indicted on multiple charges
(WTOK October 7, 2019)
Couple charged with fraud against Choctaw tribe
(The Meridian Star October 7, 2019)
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