Woman Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Money from Gila River Scholarship Fund

     PHOENIX – On Jan. 30, 2017, U.S. District Judge David C. Campbell sentenced Betty Nora Anderson, 56, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release for stealing approximately $200,000 from the Gila River Indian Community Scholarship Fund. Anderson had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft from an Indian Tribal Organization.

     Anderson stole money from the Gila River Indian Community Scholarship Fund by submitting altered and forged transcripts that made it appear she had completed certain course work and thus remained eligible for financial support. The scheme continued from 2007 through 2010.

      “Through deceit, Anderson stole money that would otherwise have gone to deserving members of the Gila River Indian Community. We will vigorously pursue and bring to justice those who would defraud the public,” stated Acting United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Indian Community Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Kevin M. Rapp, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-15-01411-DGC

RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-004_Anderson

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