HELENA — A judge has set an Oct. 15 trial date for six people charged with fraud and embezzling from a federally funded program for troubled youth on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen issued an order Wednesday saying the trial will be held in Great Falls if a plea agreement is not reached by Oct. 3.
Former Po’Ka Project director Francis Onstad and assistant director Delyle “Shanny” Augare are accused of receiving kickbacks with the help of Gary Conti Jr., who was hired as the project’s monitor.
Former employees Dorothy Still Smoking, Katheryn Sherman and Charlotte New Breast were indicted on allegations that include falsifying how much the tribe was contributing to $9.3 million program.
They have pleaded not guilty to a total of 37 criminal counts.