Former Tribal President Pleads Guilty to Travel Fraud Scheme

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The former president of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe has pleaded guilty to fraud for receiving an estimated $20,000 in improper travel reimbursements.

L. Jace Killsback pleaded guilty Monday to wire fraud and false claims conspiracy. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan will recommend that U.S. District Judge Susan Watters accept his plea. A sentencing date has not been set.

Prosecutors say Killsback sought reimbursement from multiple state, tribal or federal agencies for at least 10 trips made between September 2015 and September 2017 while serving on state and national boards. Prosecutors allege he inflated costs for at least 28 other trips.

Killsback was tribal health director before becoming president of the southeastern Montana tribe in November 2016. The tribal council voted him out in October 2017. He won a special election in January 2018 and resigned that October.