A water tower in Browning, Montana, the headquarters of the Blackfeet Nation. Photo from Blackfeet TV
Four people were sentenced to federal prison for embezzling funds from a youth program operated by the Blackfeet Nation of Montana. Francis Kay Onstad was sentenced to 38 months, Delyle “Shanny” Augare was sentenced to 44 months, Katheryn Elizabeth Sherman was sentenced to 12 months and Dorothy May Still Smoking was sentenced to 30 months probation for their role in stealing from the Po’Ka Project. They had previously pleaded guilty after being charged last August. Another defendant, Charlotte New Breast, was sentenced to three years probation for her role in the crime. The last defendant, Gary Conti, went to trial and was convicted on 29 counts after two trials. He will be sentenced September 4. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Po'Ka program received $9.3 million in funds from the Department of Health and Human Services. Of that amount, some $4.6 million was misused by the defendants, federal prosecutors said. Get the Story:
Blackfeet program directors get prison time for fraud (The Great Falls Tribune 6/25)
Related Stories
Six charged with stealing from Blackfeet Nation youth program (8/8)Blackfeet Nation requested investigation of youth program (8/5)
Join the Conversation
