Former Oglala Sioux President Indicted for Larceny and Fraud by Federal Courts
Previous head of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, responsible for running the Prairie Wind Casino on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota, is now being charged with federal wire fraud, theft, and embezzlement.
Julian Bear Runner, 37-year-old former tribal leader, had only been in charge for less than two years when he allegedly stole over $80,000 from the tribe. As stated in a recently unsealed federal indictment.
The missing funds were primarily utilized for personal enjoyment at the Prairie Wind Casino.
Bear Runner is accused of submitting false receipts to obtain checks for non-existent trips, with the intention of spending the money on personal expenses. He insists on his innocence.
A 'Deceitful Plan'
Julian Bear Runner became the second-youngest leader of the Oglala Sioux in his November 2018 election. However, soon after his victory, he embarked on "a plan to defraud the Oglala Sioux Tribe and enrich himself," according to court records.
From January 2019 up until January 2020, Bear Runner allegedly scheduled official travel and received payments for trip-related costs, though he had never traveled nor incurred the associated expenses, such as plane tickets, hotels, or food.
"Bear Runner continued to submit fraudulent vouchers while knowing that he had not traveled and that he was not entitled to travel funds," the indictment clarified.
Controversial Leadership
The now-defamed tribal leader was a supporter of forward-thinking policies within the tribe, such as same-sex marriage and legalized marijuana, while opposing the legalization of alcohol in casinos.
Bear Runner's actions were not without dispute, though. In May 2020, he was detained on the reservation for driving under the influence and assault. In July of the same year, he received a 30-day suspension from office by council members, who took offense at his refusal to be reached and issuing a 72-hour lockdown during the pandemic.
In August, he was put on unpaid leave after being implicated in coercing a 17-year-old into sex. He escaped impeachment by a slim margin but failed to secure support for re-election come November 2020.
His legal troubles didn't end there. Bear Runner was apprehended in Rapid City for failure to abandon a property later that month, following a call about a fight between him and private security at the Cheers Sports Bar & Casino, which is located at the Grand Gateway Hotel.
Currently, Bear Runner is being detained at the Pennington County Jail while awaiting trial.
