Former Olglala Sioux President found guilty of stealing tribal funds

The U.S. Attorney for South Dakota, Alison Ramsdell , says a jury has convicted the former President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of Wire Fraud, Larceny, and Embezzlement

Thirty-eight-year-old Julian Bear Runner of Pine Ridge was found guilty Thursday after a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20-years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine.

Between January of 2019 and January of 2020, Bear Runner fraudulently submitted travel vouchers for official business travel and received payment for trips he never took. It happened on multiple occasions.

He received thousands of dollars in advance travel payments, cashed the checks at a casino, gambled, and stayed in local hotels.

Ramsdell says Bear Runner stole more than $80,000 from the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

April 5, 2024