Ex-Leech Lake chairman pleads guilty to bribes

Last update: May 8, 2008 - 9:40 PM

A former chairman of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe has pleaded guilty to two counts of accepting bribes from a man who operated a check-cashing service in the tribe's casinos.

Peter D. White was chairman of the tribe between February 2003 and June 2004.

He pleaded guilty Wednesday in court in Minneapolis to accepting one $1,500 cash payment on Aug. 1, 2003, and to accepting another $1,500 cash payment on Nov. 11, 2003.

Overall, he was accused of taking several similar payments totaling more than $20,000.

The indictment alleges that businessman Craig Keith Potts paid those bribes and engaged in a conspiracy so he could influence White and be rewarded with business contracts. The case against Potts is pending.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office declined to comment on whether White would testify against Potts. The plea agreement said the "defendant has indicated a desire to cooperate with law enforcement authorities in the investigation and prosecution of other persons. This may include, but is not limited to, being interviewed by law enforcement, providing documents and information, and testifying truthfully at any proceeding."

A message left with White's public defender was not returned Thursday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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