Daniel Thomas White, Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, South Dakota 2020

PEEVER, SD – Daniel Thomas White, 44, of Peever, South Dakota, has confessed to shaking down a contractor for a bribe related to a federally funded housing project, according to court documents unsealed Monday. White, the former Director of the Dakota Nations Development Corporation (DNDC), pleaded guilty to bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann on August 24, 2020.

The case surfaced through the Guardians Project, a federal initiative designed to root out corruption within tribal communities in South Dakota. The investigation revealed a scheme connected to the SWO Elderly Village Limited Partnership, a project intended to construct an elderly housing complex on land belonging to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe. The tribe and DNDC secured nearly $3,000,000 in funding and tax credits for the ambitious build.

In October 2017, DNDC awarded a $1,070,740 contract (later increased to $1,129,679 with a change order) to Tatanka Contracting for earthwork on the project. Shortly after, on or about November 6, 2017, White allegedly began demanding a “thing of value” from representatives of Tatanka Contracting. Court filings state White’s intent was clear: influence and reward in exchange for favorable treatment concerning the DNDC contract – a bribe exceeding $5,000.

The DNDC received over $10,000 in federal assistance during the relevant period (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018), making White’s actions a direct violation of federal law. The tribe authorized DNDC to pursue low-income housing tax credits for the elderly village complex on April 22, 2016, demonstrating a significant investment and expectation of ethical conduct from its appointed director.

White now faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution could also be ordered by the court. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Jehangiri leading the prosecution.

A sentencing date is currently scheduled for May 24, 2021. This case serves as a stark reminder that federal funds allocated to tribal communities are not exempt from scrutiny, and those who exploit these resources for personal gain will be held accountable. The Guardians Project continues to seek tips and information regarding public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement impacting South Dakota’s tribal lands.

Related Federal Cases