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MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2002

Clifford Bird in Ground, former chairman of the Crow Tribe of Montana, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of bribery for using tribal money to buy cars for family and friends.

Bird in Ground, whose lawyer said has a third grade English reading ability, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Four other counts against him were dismissed under a plea deal arranged with federal prosecutors.

Bird in Ground is the third Crow leader in successive history to be indicted on federal charges. Other non-tribal officials are implicated in the current case.

A primary for a new chairman will be held October 19. Thirteen tribal members are in the running.

Get the Story:
Ex-Crow leader pleads guilty (The Billings Gazette 10/5)
13 seek tribal position (The Billings Gazette 10/5)

Related Stories:
Crow Tribe to hold chairman primary (9/23)
Crow to consider chairman election (9/20)
New indictments in Crow Nation scandal (9/18)
Ex-Crow chairman 'mental' state relevant (9/13)
Crow chairman resigns from post (9/10)
Fired Crow workers have no court (6/26)
Crow shadow governments developing (6/7)
Crow chairman can't handle funds (5/14)
Crow chairman pleads innocent (5/13)
Crow chairman indicted (5/6)
Crow Tribe target of lawsuit (4/26)
Crow judges kicked out of court (3/15)
Crow legislature 'off and going' (2/21)
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Acceptance of Crow charter doubted (12/20)
McCaleb approves Crow constitution (12/3)
Crow Tribe arrests dissidents (11/30)
Crow Tribe seeking arrest of dissidents (11/29)
Crow opposition leaves headquarters (11/28)
Crow tribal headquarters taken over (11/27)
Background on Recent History (11/27)
Crow opposition after 'Taliban' (11/27)