Shawnee man arrested for embezzling almost $180K from Oklahoma Indian tribe

SHAWNEE, Oklahoma — A Shawnee man has been arrested for allegedly embezzling over $180,000 from a small business program funded by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the largest employer in Pottawatomie County.

Court records show 35-year-old Thomas Bierd was arrested Thursday and faces six federal counts of embezzlement and theft.

An indictment unsealed on Thursday alleges 41-year-old Kristi Bias, a former CPN employee, would issue checks to illegitimate companies controlled by Bierd, who in turn would give her some of the funds.

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/bd108f8f913940ea876a41b48525bd51/OK--Shawnee-Man-Embezzlement/