Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
Former tribal accountant Lou Ann Gordon, convicted of embezzling more than $100,000 from the tribe, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison. A federal judge also ordered the Bayfield woman to pay $137,207 in restitution to the tribe. Gordon, 47, and tribal treasurer Allan Butterfield, 63, pleaded guilty last spring to stealing money by issuing payroll advances to themselves and others in the tribal accounting office and then hiding the money from the tribe. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb said it was appalling that members of the community took money from a tribe that so badly needed it. The U.S. attorney's office in Madison said the two were part of a group of employees in that office that took nearly $1 million since 1991. Tribal Chairman Ray DePerry said the tribal community, of which Gordon and Butterfield are still members, will be relieved to have closure in the case. Butterfield, who agreed to pay back $108,090, was to be sentenced July 26.
