Ted Charles, 62, served as president of the Dot Lake Village Council from his election in September 2006 to at least November 2007, according to a charging document filed Wednesday in federal court. His duties included administering tribal programs and managing federal grants, the charges say. Federal prosecutors say Charles stole thousands of dollars from the village council through cash withdrawals, debit card purchases, cashing council checks and unauthorized travel.
"These expenditures were for his and his family's personal use and the expenditure of DLVC funds in these ways was not approved by DLVC," a prosecutor wrote in the charging document.
Charles has agreed to pay $24,887 back to the council, as well as $3,990 he owes it for payroll advances, according to a plea agreement he signed Wednesday. With his admission of guilt -- scheduled to be formally entered in federal court Feb. 1 -- Charles can expect three years of probation, or one year less if he pays the restitution early, the agreement says.
As a federally recognized tribe, the Dot Lake Village Council receives federal funding for tribal administration, child welfare, housing and other public works, said current council president Bill Miller.
Miller said Thursday he was not aware of charges against Charles and could not comment on the case or how the embezzlement came to light. But Miller didn't sound surprised when a reporter brought the charges to his attention.
"I was village council president before he became president. When I left, the village council had close to $200,000 in general funds," Miller said. "That was their own tribal money, with no strings attached. When I was put back on the council, they had no general funds. It was gone."
A call Thursday to Charles' lawyer for comment was not immediately returned.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
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