SoCal Indian Tribe’s CFO, Insurance Broker Charged

A Riverside County, Calif., grand jury has indicted two men for allegedly defrauding the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians out of more than $4 million.

The indictment, charges James Riley and Ryan Robinson with grand theft and bribery. Robinson is also charged with money laundering.

Prosecutors say Riley, an insurance broker, misrepresented the amount of insurance premiums for the tribe, overcharging them by $4 million in 2006-2007. Robinson, Pechanga’s former chief financial officer, allegedly received a kickback of more than $100,000 from Riley to look the other way. That money moved through multiple accounts before it was withdrawn in the form of cashier’s checks.

The men are scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 18.