Guardians Project honored in D.C.

Michael Horowitz, Department of Justice inspector general, gave the Montana U.S. Attorney’s Office an award for “innovation in cooperation and effective investigation” during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., this week.

Carl Rostad of Great Falls, who has worked in the U.S. Attorney’s office to combat corruption on Native American reservations in Montana, was given the Inspector General’s Collaboration Award on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Guardians Project.

“Rostad is generally considered the architect of the unique strike-force model which elevated the role of the Offices of Inspector General in corruption investigations,” a press release reads.

The Guardians Project has led the embezzlement investigations on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, in which many people have been indicted for embezzling from the tribe, misappropriating federal funds, tax evasion and other charges.

Some of the people indicted in the Rocky Boy investigations include John Chance Houle and Bruce Sunchild, former chairmen of the Chippewa Cree Business Committee; Tony Belcourt, the chief executive officer of the Chippewa Cree Construction Corporation and a former tribal council member and state representative; Fawn Tadios, the former chief executive officer of the Rocky Boy Health Clinic; Havre businessman and former school board chair Shad Huston, and Havre psychologist James Eastlick Jr. are examples of the people who have pleaded guilty or have been tried and convicted.

Former Stone Child College president Melody Henry and her husband, Frank Henry, are currently being tried for tax evasion after being found not guilty of charges of embezzlement and Melody Henry still faces more counts of embezzling from the Chippewa Cree.

There have been more indictments at Rocky Boy than any other reservation in Montana thus far. Guardian officials would not comment in December on whether this is because there is more corruption at Rocky Boy or if Rocky Boy was just first in their sights.

Since the Guardians Project began indicting people in 2012, 35 indictments and two informations have been filed, the press release reads. Over 100 felony convictions for crimes including conspiracy, bribery, fraud, embezzlement, extortion, obstruction of justice, money laundering, blackmail and tax evasion have been made. There have been 77 defendants connected with Montana reservations charged.