two emmonak women indicted by federal grand jury for theft and misapplication of federal funds
Anchorage, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today, July 23, 2010, that Kathleen Blanket and Stella Kameroff, residents of Emmonak, Alaska, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage on charges of theft from a Native Alaskan Tribal organization and misapplication of federal grant funds.
In separate three-count indictments, Blanket, 44, and Kameroff, 39, are the sole defendants.
According to the indictments, from 2004 to 2007, Blanket was the Tribal Administrator for the Chuloonawick Native Village (CNV) and Kameroff was the book keeper. During the course of Blanket’s employment with CNV, she stole approximately $105,315 using two methods: 1) unauthorized use of a CNV debit card to make cash withdrawals and personal purchases; and 2) receiving payments purporting to be payroll advances that were never repaid. During the course of Kameroff’s employment with CNV she stole approximately $21,845 using two methods: 1) receiving payments purporting to be payroll advances that were never repaid; and 2) by making unauthorized direct deposits into her personal account from the CNV account.
Assistant United States Attorney Andrea (Aunnie) Steward, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that, for both defendants, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.
Department of Interior Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
