Embezzler sentenced to one year

Theodora Ann Morsette was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and three years of supervised release, as well as ordered to pay $96,948.35 restitution and a $300 special assessment fee.

Morsette was found guilty by a jury in January on charges of theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal grants, theft from an Indian tribal organization and theft from a health care facility.

Morsette was the finance manager for the Rocky Boy Health Board Clinic of the Chippewa Cree Tribe in Box Elder and embezzled federal funds from it from 2010 to 2013.

According to the indictment, Morsette used funds to make illegitimate and fraudulent payments through the use of duplicate and supplemental salary and overtime payments. She used, more or less, $100,000 for her own personal use.

She was indicted following investigations made by the Guardians Project, which was created to investigate corruption and embezzlement in Montana reservations. Morsette is the third health center employee to be convicted in the scandal.

Former director Fawn Tadios and employee Huck Sun Child have been convicted of embezzlement from the clinic.