RIVERTON, Wyo. (AP) – A federal indictment accuses three Northern Arapaho Tribe officials of embezzling money from the tribe's social services agency that provides child welfare and other assistance programs.

The indictment filed last month in U.S. District Court names tribal Social Services Department Director George Moss, finance administrator Melody St. Clair and payroll clerk Amanda Addison Ortiz.

The indictment accuses them of conspiring to use federal money intended for agency operations to pay advances or loans to St. Clair and Ortiz. It says Moss approved payments of about $70,000 to Ortiz and $65,000 to St. Clair.

The Riverton Ranger reports that Moss and St. Clair have pleaded innocent, while Ortiz is scheduled to enter a plea next week.

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Information from: The (Riverton) Ranger,
http://www.dailyranger.com