OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Attorney's office for Nebraska says nine former members of the Winnebago Tribal Council have been indicted on 11 federal counts related to misappropriation of tribal money.
U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg says a federal grand jury returned the indictments Wednesday against former council chairman John Blackhawk and former council members Darwin Snyder, Thomas Snowball Jr., Louis Houghton, Lawrence Payer, Travis Mallory, Charles Aldrich, Morgan Earth and Ramona Wolfe. Each is charged with conspiracy, theft, wire fraud and misapplication of funds belonging to an Indian gaming establishment.
Prosecutors say the council conspired to enrich themselves by siphoning $327,500 over two years from the tribe's WinneVegas Casino in the form of gift certificates and pre-paid debit cards issued and paid for by the casino.
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