A 60-year-old former Healy Lake Tribe first chief and administrator was sentenced to three years' probation and 90 days' house arrest for embezzling federal and tribal funds between 2009 and 2013, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Friday.
JoAnn Polston of Fairbanks will also have to pay restitution of $4,577.61 to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and $102,860.20 to the Healy Lake Tribe, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Polston received per diem payments of $4,577.61 from the BIA, which the U.S. Attorney's Office said she was not entitled to because she had already paid herself that money in per diem payments from the Healy Lake Tribe.
Polston also transferred nearly $11,000 into her personal bank account and paid herself an extra $91,946 above her salary or other authorized payments without backup documentation, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Polston pleaded guilty to related charges in September.