Woman admits to stealing from Tribe

A 53-year-old Post Falls woman pleaded guilty this week in federal court to stealing from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

Julianna Park, who was indicted a year ago by a federal grand jury in Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty to stealing 15 checks totaling $12,870.09 meant for the Tribe, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Parker, who was an employee of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Natural Resources Department in the Land Services Program since 2009. was under investigation beginning two years ago for embezzling tribal funds. She allegedly altered and cashed checks meant for the Tribe’s leased land payment program, according to U.S. attorneys.

The charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, a term of supervised release of not more than three years. Sentencing is set for Nov. 28 before Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge.

The case was investigated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police and the FBI.