OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2024
Big Pine Paiute Tribe Reveals Attempted Theft of Tribal Funds
Last week, US bank where the Tribe holds many deposit and investment accounts, notified the Tribe that there were unauthorized attempts to gain control and access of Tribal assets. The Tribe has learned that an unauthorized individual attempted to change the authorized signers on a Certificate of Deposit (“CD”) owned by the Tribe.
The unauthorized individual supplied the Bank with what appeared to be a formal request by the Chairperson on Tribal letterhead, but it was signed by Cheryl Levine as “Chairperson”. Further, the letter falsely listed Cheryl Levine, James Rambeau Sr., Doree Richards, Eva Bacoch and Heather Torres as the Tribe’s leadership. The Bank properly refused to change signatories without Chairperson Cheyenne Stone’s authorization.
The Tribe has protected the Tribe’s assets and will continue to adjust and initiate new safeguards as needed. The Tribe continues to investigate this matter and has already communicated with the BIA and FBI through legal counsel.
Discover more from Eastern Sierra Now
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.
