Parker resigns post, to plead guilty Tuesday

The chair of the Chippewa Cree Tribe's government resigned this morning, one day before he is scheduled to appear in federal court to plead guilty to theft from a tribal organization.

A press release from the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation's government this morning said Raymond "Jake" Parker Jr. presented his letter of resignation in a special meeting of the tribal council this morning.

Vice Chair Bruce Sunchild Sr. assumed the duties of chair of the council.

Sunchild said he would work to keep the tribe's business moving forward, including work to repair damage caused by flooding last year. Part of that included the destruction of a recently built health care facility.

Parker apologized to the council and to the Rocky Boy community before submitting his resignation.

Sunchild said Parker will be remembered as looking after the best interests of the tribe during his tenure, especially during the work to recover from the disaster last summer.

"We hope the best for Jake and ask that our community members understand the difficulty that he and his family are experiencing right now, " Sunchild said.

Parker is scheduled to appear in federal court in Great Falls Tuesday at 10 a. m.

Parker signed a plea agreement May 13 in which he would plead guilty, with the Montana U. S. Attorney's Office recommending he not receive prison time.

Parker was charged with, between May 10, 2009, and Nov. 19, 2010, making unauthorized charges on a credit card issued to be used for travel expenses while on tribal business.

Parker charged $58,938.23, with $22,229.29 going for purchases primarily at restaurants, hotels and gas stations, and $36,708.94 in cash advances.

Parker said that all but a few of the charges were unauthorized personal charges, says the offer of proof filed by the U. S. Attorney's Office.