A member of the Skull Valley Goshute Tribe pleaded guilty on Monday to misusing tribal funds in a bid to avoid a prison sentence for tax fraud.

Sammy Blackbear will pay a fine and help the federal government prosecute other tribal members, including chairman Leon Bear, accused of misusing and stealing tribal funds. In exchange, prosecutors dropped e bank-fraud charges against Blackbear that could have netted prison terms.

Blackbear is part of a group challenging Bear's leadership. The activists oppose a proposed nuclear waste dump on the reservation and say Bear is corrupt.

Get the Story:
Goshute leadership contender takes plea (The Salt Lake Tribune 3/29)

Relevant Links:
Skull Valley Goshute Tribe - http://www.skullvalleygoshutes.org
Private Fuel Storage - http://www.privatefuelstorage.com

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