Parker charged with theft from tribe

The chair of the tribal council of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation's Chippewa Cree Tribe has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of theft from a tribal organization, and the Havre Daily News could not determine this morning whether he still is acting as chair.

Raymond "Jake" Parker Jr., chair of the Chippewa Cree Business Committee, charged more than $58,000 to a credit card set for official government use between May 10, 2009, and Nov. 19, 2010, alleges a document filed Thursday by U. S. Assistant Attorney Michael S. Lahr.

Parker could not be reached for comment this morning. His attorney, Daniel Donovan of Great Falls, did not return a request for comment this morning.

Lahr did not return calls asking for comment Thursday or this morning.

Calls to Vice Chair Bruce Sunchild and tribal Chief of Staff Richard Sangrey asking if Parker is still acting as chair of the council were not returned by deadline this morning.

The plea agreement recommends that the judge not put Parker in prison if he enters the guilty plea, although that is up to the discretion of the judge.

Parker made a motion Thursday to schedule his first court appearance, at which he intends to enter his guilty plea.

No hearing had been scheduled as of deadline this morning.

According to the court document, Parker applied for a credit card for official tribal government use in April 2009.

The card was authorized only for travel-related expenses while on official tribal business.

From about May 10, 2009, through about Nov. 19, 2010, Parker used the card to make charges in the amount of $58,938.23, the offer of proof says.

Of the total, $22,229.29 went for purchases primarily at restaurants, hotels and gas stations, with $36,708.94 in cash advances.

Parker said that all but a few of the charges were unauthorized personal charges, the offer of proof says.

The purchases and cash advances were made in Box Elder, Havre, Great Falls and other places in Montana. The statements show that Parker also made unauthorized purchases and cash advances in Las Vegas, Denver, Spokane, Wash., Post Falls, Idaho, Reno, Nev., and elsewhere, the offer of proof says.

Parker did not make payments to cover the charges. Credit card payments were made by the Chippewa Cree Tribe using tribal funds, according to the document.

Parker, a council member in the 1980s, returned to the council in 2000 and was elected chair for the 2008-2010 and 2010-2012 councils. He rose to national prominence as Rocky Boy dealt with massive flooding last spring, and a presidential disaster declaration was made for the region. That included becoming the first tribe in this region to sign a nation-to-nation agreement allowing the tribe to handle the disaster money directly.