David M. Hedley, Embezzlement, California 2013

San Diego, CA – David M. Hedley, the former Executive Director of the Indian Human Resource Center (IHRC), has been charged with embezzling over $140,000 from the San Diego-based non-profit organization.

According to the indictment, Hedley served as the Executive Director of IHRC between September 10 and December 11, 2012, during which time he allegedly stole the funds from the non-profit’s bank account.

On numerous occasions, Hedley withdrew cash from the IHRC bank account and used it to gamble at local Indian casinos. For example, on October 9, 2012, Hedley withdrew $15,000 in cash from the North Island Credit Union (NICU) branch in La Mesa, California, and used it to purchase $15,000 worth of chips at the Viejas Casino. Similarly, on October 12, 2012, Hedley withdrew $20,000 in cash from the NICU branch in Imperial Beach, California, and used it to purchase over $20,000 in chips at the Pala Casino.

The IHRC was established to train and assist Native Americans with finding employment outside the tribal setting and received over $500,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor over the past two years.

David M. Hedley was arraigned on the indictment in the Central District of California on April 25, 2013, and pleaded not guilty. Magistrate Judge David Bristow set bail at $100,000 and ordered Hedley to appear in the Southern District of California on May 9, 2013.

An indictment is not evidence that the defendant committed the crime charged, and the defendant is presumed innocent until the United States meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defendant is facing eight felony counts of theft from a program receiving federal funds, and is charged under Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A). The defendant is also facing forfeiture under Title 18, United States Code, Sections 981(a)(1)(C) and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c).

The public is reminded that the investigation into this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control.

Defendant: David M. Hedley, 8 felony counts of theft from a program receiving federal funds, $140,000 embezzled, San Diego, CA, April 25, 2013, bail set at $100,000, currently awaiting trial.

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