A Norfolk woman has been convicted of two counts of embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization.
Andrea Rodriguez, 42, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced to 4 years’ probation, a fine of $10,000 and $100 for special assessment fees. She was also ordered to pay $19,431.57 in restitution.
The charges stem from Rodriguez’s time as the Director of the Ponca Tribe’s Domestic Violence Department. Between July 2019 and October 2020, she created false reimbursement requests for her own personal bills, using tribal grant funds intended to support Ponca tribal members dealing with domestic-violence related issues.
Rodriguez received approximately $19,431.57 in tribal funds as a result of this scheme.
The case was jointly investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.
“We will not tolerate any attempts to defraud federal programs, especially those involving vulnerable populations,” said Curt L. Muller, Special Agent in Charge with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “We are proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to hold accountable any perpetrator of fraud.”
Rodriguez was sentenced in Lincoln, Nebraska, by Judge John M. Gerrard on an unspecified date.
The defendant’s real full name is Andrea Rodriguez, and she is a resident of Norfolk, Nebraska. The exact criminal charges against her are two counts of embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization. The city and state where the crime occurred is Norfolk, Nebraska. The sentence or outcome of the case is 4 years’ probation, a fine of $10,000, and $100 for special assessment fees, as well as $19,431.57 in restitution.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Nebraska
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
