Judge: Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes open to thievery

Wednesday, April 23, 2008  

A federal judge lashed out at the sentencing of a former employee of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma who embezzled about $17,000 in tribal funds.

Judge Stephen Friot said Louella Oldbear, 58, stole money from tribal members who needed it. He said she deserved to spend one year in jail because she "ran the show."

"This is a tribe with absolutely no financial controls in place. The way it was run was an open invitation to thievery ... and that's a very sad thing for those that depend on the revenue of the tribe," Friot said, The Oklahoman reported.

Oldbear was the personal secretary for former tribal business committee member Roy D. Bullcoming, who will be going on trial in August for theft. Including Oldbear, nine Cheyenne-Arapahos have been convicted of stealing from the tribe.

Get the Story:
Cheyenne-Arapaho tribal ex-official sentenced to jail in embezzlement (The Oklahoman 4/23)
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