St. Francis Woman Indicted for Federal Program Fraud

US Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a St. Francis, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for federal program fraud.

Matilda Black Bear, a/k/a Tillie Black Bear, age 64, the former Executive Director of the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 6, 2011, for Program Fraud and Aiding and Abetting. She appeared before US Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on July 19, 2011, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Black Bear is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the United States Department of Justice - Office of Investigations. Assistant US Attorney Thomas J. Wright is prosecuting the case. Black Bear was released on bond pending trial A trial date has not yet been set.