Developer admits guilt in major theft from Auburn Community

Friday, June 13, 2014  

A developer pleaded guilty for his role in the theft of millions of dollars from the United Auburn Indian Community of California.

Bart Wayne Volen, 55, admitted he participated in a scheme in which the tribe was defrauded of between $17 million and $19 million. He submitted massively inflated invoices for an office project on the reservation.

Volen agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors as they pursue two other people for their roles in the scam. Greg Scott Baker, the tribe's former administrator, and Darrell Hinz, a construction manager, are due for trial in October.

Get the Story:
Guilty plea in multimiliion-dollar fraud of Thunder Valley Casino owners (The Sacramento Bee 6/13)
Guilty plea in $17M fraud against Auburn tribe (The Sacramento Business Journal 6/13)
Man admits defrauding tribe that operates Thunder Valley (AP 6/12)

Three charged with stealing $18.6M from Auburn Community (08/21)
Auburn Community fires administrator over $18.6M scheme (3/30)
Sheriff's deputy denies involvement in $18.6M Auburn scam (3/23)
IRS accuses trio of bilking Auburn Community out of millions (3/22)