Federal charges leveled at alleged casino embezzler

An employee of the Coeur d’Alene Casino has been charged in federal court with 42 counts of theft amounting to a loss of more than $100,000.

Colten N. Curley was charged this week after being indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly embezzling money beginning last August while he was employed at the tribe's Worley casino.

According to court records, Curley allegedly embezzled amounts ranging from $200 to $5,020 between Aug. 7 and Nov. 18.

Each of the 42 federal charges, theft by officer or employee of gaming establishment on Indian lands, carries a penalty of no more than 20 years in prison, and $1 million fine. The court may additionally impose a special assessment of $100 per count and no more than three years of supervised release, according to court records.

Although no trial date has been set, U.S. Attorney Nancy D. Cook estimated a trial would last three days.