By BOB GIBBINS
MUSKOGEE – A Stilwell woman was placed on five years’ probation Monday in federal court and ordered to pay $10,222 in restitution after being convicted of embezzlement and theft.
Donna Sue Jones, 47, had been charged with embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization, stemming from an investigation by Cherokee Nation marshal. She was indicted in June and pleaded guilty in July.
Prosecutors had alleged Jones, also known as Donna Sue Scott, fraudulently processed applications and issued checks from the CN General Assistance program between September 2005 and August 2007 while she worked for the tribe.
The General Assistance program, funded through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, is a financial assistance service for eligible Indian families to address essential living needs, according to the Cherokee Nation website.
U.S. District Judge Ronald White presided at the sentencing hearing.
Assistant District Attorney Dean Burris prosecuted the case.
