Law

Another guilty plea from Chippewa Cree Tribe corruption case


The logo for the Guardians Project. Image from U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana

Another defendant pleaded guilty as part of a wide-ranging corruption probe affecting the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana.

Larry Ray Denny admitted to charges of wire fraud, false claims, theft of government property and falsely representing outside income. He engaged in contract work with the tribe while maintaining a paid position at the Bureau of Land Management in Virginia.

Denny's former supervisor at the BLM in Virginia also has been charged and is due to go to trial next week, the Associated Press reported. Federal prosecutors say John Grimson Lyon covered for Denny and made him eligible for a cash award.

At least 18 people on the Rocky Boy's Reservation have been convicted as part of the investigation. The effort -- known as the The Guardians Project in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Montana -- has put the state on top of a nationwide list of judicial districts with the most government corruption prosecutions.

Get the Story:
Government worker who took 2nd job in Montana pleads guilty (AP 3/18)
Former officials charged with defrauding U.S. (Environment & Energy Daily 9/12) Ex-BLM officials indicted in elaborate fraud scheme (The Billings Gazette 9/12)

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