Three former leaders of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians — including the economic development director (a former FBI agent), the tribe's administrator, and the treasurer — were sentenced in February 2022 to up to 4 years and 9 months in prison each for embezzling millions from the tribe through luxury purchases including homes, vehicles, private jet travel, and vacations.

Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians — Tribal Leadership Embezzlement (2009–2014)

Outcome: Three former leaders of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians were sentenced in February 2022 to between 3 years 5 months and 4 years 9 months in federal prison for conspiring to embezzle millions of dollars from the tribe between 2009 and 2014, using stolen funds for homes, vehicles, private jet travel, African safaris, World Series tickets, and other personal luxury expenses.

The three defendants held positions controlling every major administrative and financial function of the tribe:

• John A. Crosby, 56, of Redding — the tribe's economic development director and a former FBI special agent — sentenced to 4 years 9 months and a $10,000 fine
• Ines S. Crosby, 76, of Orland — the tribe's administrator and John Crosby's mother — sentenced to 4 years 9 months
• Leslie A. Lohse, 67, of Glenn — the tribe's treasurer — sentenced to 3 years 5 months

From approximately January 2009 through May 2014, the defendants took millions of dollars from the Paskenta Tribe without tribal or legal authority, exploiting their combined control over economic development contracts, tribal administration, and treasury functions. Total charged embezzlement approached $6 million; $4.9 million was confirmed in the sentencing.

Stolen funds were used to purchase homes, vehicles, luxury vacations including trips to Africa, South America, and Hawaii with private/chartered jet travel, high-value entertainment including World Series trips, and family expenses. The defendants pleaded guilty in 2019 and were sentenced by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez in February 2022.

Primary Source: Former Members of Tribal Leadership Sentenced for Multimillion Dollar Embezzlement Scheme