Former Omaha Tribal Council Member Doran Morris, Jr. (age 44) has been sentenced for his role in the embezzlement of funds meant for the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska’s health care benefit program.
On [Undisclosed Date], Doran Morris, Jr. was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. for his conviction of one count of conversion and misapplication of funds of a health care benefit program in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 669.
The scheme, which began in 1995 and continued until 2011, involved the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska filing Contract Disputes Act claims against the Indian Health Service, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The claims were filed in 2005 and 2012, totaling approximately $8.9 million.
However, instead of using the funds for their intended purpose of providing health care to members of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska through the Carl T. Curtis Health Education Center, Morris and others used the funds to pay bonuses or incentives to themselves and several other tribal employees. The bonuses were paid in October 2012, despite the claims against the Indian Health Service not being resolved and paid until late 2015.
Funds used to pay the bonuses came from carryover funds from the fiscal year 2012 contract with IHS, totaling $13,404.44, which Morris personally received. Morris was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
This case marks the ninth sentencing in the case, with eight other former tribal council members and tribal employees previously sentenced for their roles in the offense. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and its members were victims of Morris’s actions, which compromised the integrity of the health care benefit program and potentially put the health and well-being of tribal members at risk.
Doran Morris, Jr. was convicted of one count of conversion and misapplication of funds of a health care benefit program in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 669. He was sentenced to five years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,404.44, which he personally received.
Key Facts
- State: Nebraska
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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