Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Chairman Joey Barbry has landed himself in a world of trouble after pleading guilty to illegally taking more than $83,000 from the tribe’s check cashing business. The shocking revelation has sent shockwaves throughout the community, leaving many wondering how such a heinous crime could go unchecked for so long.
According to the plea agreement, Barbry, 40, of Mansura, La., used his position of power to cash 105 non-sufficient fund (NSF) checks totaling $83,510 from July 2014 to November 2014 with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. The checks were made out to the Tunica Biloxi Financial Services (TBFS), an organization owned by the tribe that functions as a check cashing business for the tribal casino.
Normal operation of the TBFS for NSF checks would require that the person writing NSF checks be placed into a computer tracking system and would be barred from writing further checks. The violator would also be turned over to the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution if the money was not repaid. However, TBFS manager Brent Barbre told employees not to input Barbry into the tracking system, and that he would handle the chairman’s NSF checks personally. This blatant disregard for protocol allowed Barbry to continue writing NSF checks without consequence.
The FBI conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph is prosecuting the case. As a result of his guilty plea, Barbry faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release, restitution, and a $250,000 fine.
The case against Barbry serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in positions of power. The people of Louisiana deserve better than to have their leaders embezzle funds and disregard the law. We can only hope that justice will be served and that Barbry will be held accountable for his actions.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: Joey Barbry’s actions have caused irreparable harm to the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and its people. It is our hope that the tribe will be able to recover from this devastating blow and that justice will be served.
In the end, the people of Louisiana will not be silenced. We will continue to demand accountability from our leaders and fight for justice in our community. The guilty plea of Joey Barbry is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done.
The crime: Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization. The defendant: Joey Barbry. The state: Louisiana. The year: 2024.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption