Ideas. Stories. Community.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate during KSJD's Spring Fund Drive and you could win a Super73 E-Bike! Click here to donate NOW.

Seven Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Members Charged With Misappropriating Tribal Funds

Dtobias
/
Creative Commons

Seven Ute Mountain Ute tribal members are facing felony charges involving alleged financial misdeeds. The charges were filed December 13th in U.S. District Court in Denver. The seven are Loia Kay House, Oraleigh Jaramillo, Darrell Jonah Lee, Myreon Lehi, Ladelda Lopez, Jennifer Ann Pioche and Leslie Wayne Rouillard. Most of the charges involve the misappropriation of tribal funds by misdirecting checks or wire transfers. Jaramillo, who worked in the tribe’s financial services department, is alleged to have embezzled the largest sum, approximately $7,000. According to court records, the defendants were released on bond and are in the process of entering pleas. At least one was reported to be entering a plea agreement while another was planning to go to trial.

Tags
Gail Binkly is a career journalist who has worked for the Colorado Springs Gazette and Cortez Journal, and was the editor of the Four Corners Free Press, based in Cortez.