The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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August 6, 2008

Former tribal official facing up to 5 years in federal prison

A former official with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes pleaded guilty Wednesday to embezzling money from Lucky Star Casinos, which are owned by the tribes.

According to John C. Richter, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, Roy Dean Bullcoming, 54, of Seiling, faces up to five years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution. A sentencing hearing will be set in approximately 90 days.

Bull-coming served as a business committee representative of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, representing tribal membership of Chey-enne District 1.

In February, a 15-count indictment was unsealed alleging in 2003 and 2004 Bull-coming embezzled tribal funds by obtaining checks and using the funds to buy or repair personal vehicles. The indictment also alleged Bullcoming used money belonging to Lucky Star Casinos for travel, per diem, registration fees and other expenses to attend conferences he did not attend.

At the plea hearing Wed-nesday, Bullcoming pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment and stipulated the total amount of the loss attributed to his conduct for sentencing calculation purposes was $95,350.75.

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