Tally Colombe Indicted in $250K Larceny Scheme

A Fort Thompson woman is facing federal charges after being indicted for stealing funds from Hunkpati Investments. Tally Colombe, 41, was named in a federal indictment unsealed October 12, 2016, marking the latest chapter in a financial crime probe that has rattled tribal business operations in central South Dakota.

Colombe appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Moreno on October 18, 2016, where she formally pled not guilty to the single count of larceny. The charge stems from allegations that she unlawfully took money belonging to Hunkpati Investments, a business entity with ties to the local community. The exact amount stolen has not been disclosed, but prosecutors have signaled the case involves significant misappropriation.

If convicted, Colombe faces up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Additional penalties include 3 years of supervised release, a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and possible court-ordered restitution to the defrauded organization.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota. Authorities have not detailed the method of theft but sources indicate the breach exploited internal financial access, raising questions about oversight within the tribal investment arm.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie G. Sanderson is prosecuting the case, which will proceed to trial on Tuesday, December 13, 2016. Colombe was released pending trial, though conditions of her release have not been made public.

The charge against Tally Colombe remains an accusation under federal law. She is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Seiler’s office, underscores ongoing federal scrutiny of financial mismanagement in tribal economic ventures across the region.