Betty Nora Anderson, Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, Arizona 2017

A 56-year-old woman has been sentenced to prison for stealing $200,000 from the Gila River Indian Community Scholarship Fund in Arizona.

Betty Nora Anderson, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge David C. Campbell on January 30, 2017. Anderson had previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft from an Indian Tribal Organization.

The scheme, which lasted from 2007 to 2010, involved Anderson submitting altered and forged transcripts to make it appear as though she had completed certain course work, thereby remaining eligible for financial support.

“Through deceit, Anderson stole money that would otherwise have gone to deserving members of the Gila River Indian Community. We will vigorously pursue and bring to justice those who would defraud the public,” stated Acting United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Indian Community Police Department, with the prosecution handled by Kevin M. Rapp, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Anderson’s sentence is a result of her guilty plea and cooperation with authorities. The case serves as a reminder that those who commit fraud and deception will be held accountable for their actions.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, will continue to work tirelessly to protect the public and bring to justice those who would seek to defraud them.

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ or follow them on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Related Federal Cases