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Garcia sentenced in Rocky Boy theft

3 years probation, ordered to pay $7,600 restitution

The first of several sets of people accused of embezzling and defrauding the federal government of funds allocated to Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Great Falls.

Garcia Duran, a supply technician at the Health Board at Rocky Boy at the time, pleaded guilty in federal court in Great Falls Dec. 10 to a charge of theft from a health care facility stemming from accusations he purchased goods and services for his personal use and billed the Health Board between August 2009 and February 2010. A charge of theft from an Indian tribal organization was dismissed.

Judge Brian Morris sentenced Duran to three years of probation and ordered him to pay $7,674.43 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.

The indictment was the result of an investigation of the the Guardians Project, a U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana-spearheaded collaboration to investigate fraud and embezzlement in Indian Country in Montana.

A string of cases against others accused of embezzlement and fraud at Rocky Boy still are pending.

 
 

Reader Comments(4)

frankieh writes:

Although I don't agree with Garcia Duran's actions I must commend him for standing up and taking responsibility for his transgressions. If only the others that committed malfeasance would do the same we--the people of Rocky Boy--would be the better for it. Maybe it is a lot to ask of the accused to have integrity since they have never shown it before and it appears to be a foreign concept to them.

oldRBHBemp writes:

I do think that is fair he will be paying back all the money he took and he will get probation and this will be carried with him for the rest of his life....... as for FAWNZZ her court hearing is not until 3-17-14 @ 3:00pm for a motion hearing now that is a joke. How many times does she get an extension because she is firing her lawyers for wanting her to take a plea agreement. At least Garcia took the plea agreement. Fawn thinks she has done NO WRONG!!!!!!!! give me a break people.

youknowit writes:

not what the people of RB were looking for... come on Mr. federal judge I think you can do better than THAT! Tommorrow FawnZZ goes to court, I hope the feds have more than probation up there sleeve

Joe writes:

Four years of public defender, investigation and court costs to recieve a 100 dollar fine. Seems logical to me

 
 
 
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