Former tribal chairman accused of embezzling nearly $400K in federal funds in indictment
A past chairman of the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla & Cupeño Indians has been charged with theft, accused of embezzling nearly $400,000 from the tribe in 2017, according to an indictment unsealed in San Diego federal court Friday.
Shane Chapparosa was indicted by a grand jury in March on 11 counts of theft from a program receiving federal funds.
Federal agents had informed Chapparosa of the indictment in an effort to get him to self-surrender, but he instead fled, Assistant U.S. Attorney Courtney Strange wrote in a motion to unseal.
According to the indictment, Chapparosa was the tribal chairman of the band when prosecutors say he “did embezzle, steal, and intentionally misapply funds owned by, and under the care, custody, and control of Los Coyotes.” The funds were allocated to the tribe as part of federal program benefits, the indictment states.
Read more: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2022-05-06/tribe-embezzle-los-coyotes