Bainbridge Island, WA – Renee Pearl Peleti, a 46-year-old resident of Bainbridge Island, was today sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release for embezzling nearly $150,000 from the Suquamish Tribe. The U.S. District Court in Tacoma imposed the sentence, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.
Peleti, who worked in the Suquamish Indian Tribe’s Indian Child Welfare Department for over five years, is accused of embezzling more than $146,496 through fraudulent checks and vouchers. She used these funds to pay for her own groceries, utility bills, and gift cards.
The tribe first noticed irregularities in April 2013 when benefit checks for seven clients were altered and cashed. An investigation by the Suquamish Police and the FBI revealed Peleti’s scheme, which involved over 260 fraudulent tribal checks totaling more than $90,000. She also directed 14 tribal checks to Puget Sound Energy to pay her own utility bills.
In addition to grocery vouchers worth over $36,972 and vendor gift cards valued at more than $11,127, Peleti confessed to taking the money for personal family expenses. On February 14, 2014, she pleaded guilty to the charges.
During the sentencing hearing, tribal leaders emphasized that the embezzlement robbed needy tribal children of funds intended for food, clothing, and Christmas presents, thus missing out on opportunities for fun or education. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Bryan ordered $146,496 in restitution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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