Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that Gerald K. Bigelow, a resident of Puyallup, WA, pled guilty on April 25, 2012, to embezzling federal funds from the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center in Sitka, Alaska pursuant to a plea agreement. Bigelow was sentenced in federal court to a three year term of probation and ordered to pay full restitution to the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (SEAICC).

Chief United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline imposed the sentence on Bigelow, 46.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Feldis who prosecuted the case, Bigelow embezzled $17,296.81 between October 2010, and May 2011 when employed as the Executive Director of the SEAICC. Bigelow admitted that during that time he worked at the SEAICC he used a company debit card to make cash withdrawals and purchases for his personal use and without permission or authority from SEAICC. Bigelow made unauthorized use of the debit card more than seventy-five times, and in total, he stole $17,296.81 from SEAICC.

In fashioning a sentence, the Court noted that Bigelow had not previously been in trouble with the law and had accepted responsibility for his conduct.

Ms. Loeffler commended the National Park Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Bigelow.

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