Below is a link to another article on the indictments of John Crosby (former FBI Agent), Ines Crosby (his mother), and Leslie Lohse (hist sister). Lohse was at one time the treasurer of the California Tribal Business Alliance which Robert Smith is Chair of. I recommend reading the whole article but I will post an excerpt:
Gross & Klein LLP: Federal Jury Indicts Two Former Paskenta Tribe Employees on Embezzlement Charges
Excerpt:
As detailed in the Tribe's related civil federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) complaint filed in March 2015 in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, against John Crosby, Ines Crosby, Leslie Lohse, and others, they and their co-conspirators used vicious and callous methods of intimidation and coercion to maintain access to the Tribe's money, millions of which they stole in order to live a life of obscene luxury, while services to Tribal members went unfunded and Tribe members lived in fear of economic retaliation.
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Any of that sound familiar?
Read the whole article at the link above.
Showing posts with label California Tribal Business Alliance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California Tribal Business Alliance. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
Tribal Leaders Indicted By The Feds
It will be interesting to follow this case and see how far shouting "tribal sovereignty" gets them.
Any of this sound familiar?
Red Bluff Daily News - Ex-Nomlaki tribal officials indicted on federal charges
Excerpt:
A federal grand jury returned a 69-count indictment Thursday against three former officials of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, charging them with conspiracy to embezzle tribal funds, embezzlement of tribal funds, making false statements to federal agents and tax charges.
The indictment against John Crosby, 53, of Redding, Ines Crosby, 73, of Orland, and Leslie Lohse, 62, of Glenn County, was announced in a press release issued by Phillip Talbert, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California.
The tribe operates the Rolling Hills Casino located on tribal land near Corning.
The indictment alleges that between January 2009 and May 2014, the defendants, who had access to tribal funds, embezzled at least $6 million of that money for their own personal expenses. They allegedly sought to conceal the embezzlement by creating a false line-of-credit document and remotely accessing the tribe’s computers to destroy evidence. John Crosby and Lohse are accused of submitting tax returns that omitted the embezzled funds, while, Ines Crosby failed to file any tax returns.
The three were among four members of the tribal council were ousted by tribal membership in April 2014, which culminated in a prolonged armed standoff at the casino in June 2014, the destruction of computer records and the disappearance of a private jet owned by the tribe.
Read the full article at the link above
More:
sacbee.com- Former tribal leaders indicted on charges they looted $6 million from Corning’s Rolling Hills Casino
BY SAM STANTON
sstanton@sacbee.com
My feed
Three former officials of the tribe that owns the Rolling Hills Casino in Corning were indicted Thursday on charges they embezzled at least $6 million from the tribal coffers and used the money to purchase cars, international junkets, gold coins and landscaping for their homes with such features as koi ponds and a putting green.
The 69-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Sacramento alleges that John Crosby, the tribe’s onetime economic development director; Ines Crosby, his mother and the former tribal administrator; and Leslie Lohse, Ines Crosby’s sister and the former tribal treasurer, engaged in a sweeping conspiracy to loot the tribal bank accounts, then lied to FBI agents investigating the matter.
The indictment follows years of controversy involving the tribal government and the casino. Warring factions in the tribe at various times engaged in an armed standoff outside the casino, went to court over control of the casino and endured a cyberattack that destroyed computer records – one that the indictment blames on the three defendants.
The dispute also included a lawsuit claiming wrongdoing under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act that named the defendants and more than a dozen others.
Read the full article at the link above
Also:
Tribe, Bank Rebuked Over Embezzlement Suit Discovery Row
By Christine Powell
Law360, New York (December 9, 2016, 4:09 PM EST) -- A California federal magistrate judge on Thursday called behavior during a discovery dispute between the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and a bank it has asserted claims against in its lawsuit accusing former tribal officials of a sprawling embezzlement scheme "unacceptable."
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians alleged that Cornerstone Community Bank, CEO Jeffrey Finck and parent company Cornerstone Community Bancorp aided and abetted ex-tribe leaders in misappropriation, and that the bank and its parent company are liable for breach of contract.
Read the full article at the link above
Any of this sound familiar?
Red Bluff Daily News - Ex-Nomlaki tribal officials indicted on federal charges
Excerpt:
A federal grand jury returned a 69-count indictment Thursday against three former officials of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, charging them with conspiracy to embezzle tribal funds, embezzlement of tribal funds, making false statements to federal agents and tax charges.
The indictment against John Crosby, 53, of Redding, Ines Crosby, 73, of Orland, and Leslie Lohse, 62, of Glenn County, was announced in a press release issued by Phillip Talbert, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California.
The tribe operates the Rolling Hills Casino located on tribal land near Corning.
The indictment alleges that between January 2009 and May 2014, the defendants, who had access to tribal funds, embezzled at least $6 million of that money for their own personal expenses. They allegedly sought to conceal the embezzlement by creating a false line-of-credit document and remotely accessing the tribe’s computers to destroy evidence. John Crosby and Lohse are accused of submitting tax returns that omitted the embezzled funds, while, Ines Crosby failed to file any tax returns.
The three were among four members of the tribal council were ousted by tribal membership in April 2014, which culminated in a prolonged armed standoff at the casino in June 2014, the destruction of computer records and the disappearance of a private jet owned by the tribe.
Read the full article at the link above
More:
sacbee.com- Former tribal leaders indicted on charges they looted $6 million from Corning’s Rolling Hills Casino
BY SAM STANTON
sstanton@sacbee.com
My feed
Three former officials of the tribe that owns the Rolling Hills Casino in Corning were indicted Thursday on charges they embezzled at least $6 million from the tribal coffers and used the money to purchase cars, international junkets, gold coins and landscaping for their homes with such features as koi ponds and a putting green.
The 69-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Sacramento alleges that John Crosby, the tribe’s onetime economic development director; Ines Crosby, his mother and the former tribal administrator; and Leslie Lohse, Ines Crosby’s sister and the former tribal treasurer, engaged in a sweeping conspiracy to loot the tribal bank accounts, then lied to FBI agents investigating the matter.
The indictment follows years of controversy involving the tribal government and the casino. Warring factions in the tribe at various times engaged in an armed standoff outside the casino, went to court over control of the casino and endured a cyberattack that destroyed computer records – one that the indictment blames on the three defendants.
The dispute also included a lawsuit claiming wrongdoing under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act that named the defendants and more than a dozen others.
Read the full article at the link above
Also:
Tribe, Bank Rebuked Over Embezzlement Suit Discovery Row
By Christine Powell
Law360, New York (December 9, 2016, 4:09 PM EST) -- A California federal magistrate judge on Thursday called behavior during a discovery dispute between the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians and a bank it has asserted claims against in its lawsuit accusing former tribal officials of a sprawling embezzlement scheme "unacceptable."
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians alleged that Cornerstone Community Bank, CEO Jeffrey Finck and parent company Cornerstone Community Bancorp aided and abetted ex-tribe leaders in misappropriation, and that the bank and its parent company are liable for breach of contract.
Read the full article at the link above
Thursday, June 11, 2015
No California Online Poker in 2015
California Online Poker Shelved For 2015 According To Tribal Lobbyist
June 10th, 2015 | by Greg Shaun
California online poker has the potential to provide a drastic and much-needed boost to the overall health of online poker, but one tribal lobbyist in opposition of such legislation says 2015 won’t be the year.
According to David Quintana, a lobbyist representing the California Tribal Business Alliance, State Sen. Isadore Hall (D-District 35) has assured tribal organizations that the Senate Government Organization Committee (GO) that he chairs has no plans to tackle online poker this year.
Quintana told Capitol Weekly, a media outlet that covers California government and politics, that Hall “will not be setting or hearing any Internet poker bills this year.”
Read Full Article Here ->California Online Poker Shelved For 2015 According To Tribal Lobbyist
Robert Smith is Secretary/Treasurer for the California Tribal Business Alliance
June 10th, 2015 | by Greg Shaun
California online poker has the potential to provide a drastic and much-needed boost to the overall health of online poker, but one tribal lobbyist in opposition of such legislation says 2015 won’t be the year.
According to David Quintana, a lobbyist representing the California Tribal Business Alliance, State Sen. Isadore Hall (D-District 35) has assured tribal organizations that the Senate Government Organization Committee (GO) that he chairs has no plans to tackle online poker this year.
Quintana told Capitol Weekly, a media outlet that covers California government and politics, that Hall “will not be setting or hearing any Internet poker bills this year.”
Read Full Article Here ->California Online Poker Shelved For 2015 According To Tribal Lobbyist
Robert Smith is Secretary/Treasurer for the California Tribal Business Alliance
Monday, September 15, 2014
Paskenta Affirms New Leadership
sys-con.com Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Announces Results of Election for Tribal Council Mandated by Settlement Agreement Between Tribal Factions
Election ends leadership dispute after all Tribal members agreed to recognize results
BY PR NEWSWIRE
CORNING, Calif., Sept. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a record election turnout, with over 92 percent of all adult Tribal members participating, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians announced today the results of its Tribal Council election.
The members of the Tribe overwhelmingly elected four members of the Tribal Council which include: Latisha Miller – Vice-Chairperson, Andrew Alejandre – Secretary, Ambrosia Rico – Treasurer, and Natasha Magana – Member-at-large. The Chairman of the Tribe, Andrew Freeman, who is recognized by both groups who participated in the election, holds a term that ends in September 2016. The election ends the leadership of Leslie Lohse and her family's control over the Rolling Hills Casino and other tribal assets. The certified results of the election were: 138 votes for the winning slate, and 61 votes for the slate led by Lohse.
"I'm so pleased that the Nomlaki People had such strong voter turnout and exercised true democracy by electing its Tribal leadership," said Chairman Andrew Freeman, who was supported by both groups running for Tribal Council. "This is a new era of Tribal leadership that promises financial integrity in its governance and financial transparency to all Tribal members to ensure all can share in the benefits of the various Tribal Enterprises."
Read Full Press Release Here-->sys-con.com Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Announces Results of Election for Tribal Council Mandated by Settlement Agreement Between Tribal Factions
Other Articles:
chicoer.com Paskenta tribe votes to keep new leaders
sacbee.com Embattled Northern California tribe elects four members to tribal council
***WARNING***
Election ends leadership dispute after all Tribal members agreed to recognize results
BY PR NEWSWIRE
CORNING, Calif., Sept. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a record election turnout, with over 92 percent of all adult Tribal members participating, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians announced today the results of its Tribal Council election.
The members of the Tribe overwhelmingly elected four members of the Tribal Council which include: Latisha Miller – Vice-Chairperson, Andrew Alejandre – Secretary, Ambrosia Rico – Treasurer, and Natasha Magana – Member-at-large. The Chairman of the Tribe, Andrew Freeman, who is recognized by both groups who participated in the election, holds a term that ends in September 2016. The election ends the leadership of Leslie Lohse and her family's control over the Rolling Hills Casino and other tribal assets. The certified results of the election were: 138 votes for the winning slate, and 61 votes for the slate led by Lohse.
"I'm so pleased that the Nomlaki People had such strong voter turnout and exercised true democracy by electing its Tribal leadership," said Chairman Andrew Freeman, who was supported by both groups running for Tribal Council. "This is a new era of Tribal leadership that promises financial integrity in its governance and financial transparency to all Tribal members to ensure all can share in the benefits of the various Tribal Enterprises."
Read Full Press Release Here-->sys-con.com Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians Announces Results of Election for Tribal Council Mandated by Settlement Agreement Between Tribal Factions
Other Articles:
chicoer.com Paskenta tribe votes to keep new leaders
sacbee.com Embattled Northern California tribe elects four members to tribal council
***WARNING***
Chairman Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pala Band of Luiseno Indians, Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation, is monitoring your comments. He is going to track your IP address and "take action" against any tribal member posting comments he does not like.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
California Continues With Its Push to Keep Guns Out of Paskenta Dispute
redbluffdailynews.com State seeks to keep guns away from Rolling Hills Casino
RED BLUFF >> The State of California on Monday filed a request in federal court for a preliminary injunction against the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians that essentially maintains the status quo of the temporary restraining order previously issued by a federal judge that has kept armed security forces away from Rolling Hills Casino in Corning.
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Excerpt:
Ousted members led by tribal Vice Chairman David Swearinger, treasurer Leslie Lohse, secretary Geraldine Freeman and member-at-large Allen Swearinger have previously said that shutting down the casino would bring a speedy resolution to the tribal dispute.
Members of the tribe led by Chairman Andrew Freeman, Vice Chairwoman Latisha Miller, treasurer Ambrosia Rico, secretary Andrew Alejandre and member-at-large Natasha Magana argue that shutting down the casino would put its employees out of work and "devastate the local economy," according to the state's preliminary injunction request filed Monday.
The preliminary injunction request seeks to keep the casino operating as it currently does, and keep firearms and armed personnel away from the tribe's properties.
Read Full Article Here --> redbluffdailynews.com State seeks to keep guns away from Rolling Hills Casino
Leslie Lohse is Chair of the California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA). Robert Smith is CTBA's Treasurer. Pala is one of the Three Tribes that make up the California Tribal Business Alliance along with Paskenta and Viejas.
RED BLUFF >> The State of California on Monday filed a request in federal court for a preliminary injunction against the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians that essentially maintains the status quo of the temporary restraining order previously issued by a federal judge that has kept armed security forces away from Rolling Hills Casino in Corning.
#
Excerpt:
Ousted members led by tribal Vice Chairman David Swearinger, treasurer Leslie Lohse, secretary Geraldine Freeman and member-at-large Allen Swearinger have previously said that shutting down the casino would bring a speedy resolution to the tribal dispute.
Members of the tribe led by Chairman Andrew Freeman, Vice Chairwoman Latisha Miller, treasurer Ambrosia Rico, secretary Andrew Alejandre and member-at-large Natasha Magana argue that shutting down the casino would put its employees out of work and "devastate the local economy," according to the state's preliminary injunction request filed Monday.
The preliminary injunction request seeks to keep the casino operating as it currently does, and keep firearms and armed personnel away from the tribe's properties.
Read Full Article Here --> redbluffdailynews.com State seeks to keep guns away from Rolling Hills Casino
Leslie Lohse is Chair of the California Tribal Business Alliance (CTBA). Robert Smith is CTBA's Treasurer. Pala is one of the Three Tribes that make up the California Tribal Business Alliance along with Paskenta and Viejas.
***WARNING***
Chairman Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pala Band of Luiseno Indians, Pala Band of Luiseno Mission Indians of the Pala Reservation, is monitoring your comments. He is going to track your IP address and "take action" against any tribal member posting comments he does not like.
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