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Grand Jury indicts former Swinomish Police Chief

Former Swinomish Police Chief Thomas Schlicker was indicted on March 10 by a federal grand jury for felony charges of wire fraud and theft of tribal funds.

The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court Western District of Washington in Seattle alleges that starting in 2008 Schlicker defrauded the tribe for more than $30,000 by depositing tribal money into a secret bank account and claiming reimbursement for personal expenses claiming they were job related.

According to indictment, Schlicker allegedly put money into a Washington Federal account in the name of the Swinomish Police Department, listing him as the authorized signer.

The tribe’s actual account, where the money was supposed to be deposited, was at Key Bank, the indictment states. In addition, all checks made out to the tribe are supposed to be handled by the tribes accounting department.

Funds that Schlicker allegedly embezzled were from police activities such as the sale of seized vehicles. He is also accused of using a police department gasoline credit card for personal use and allegedly sought reimbursement for personal expenses. The indictment gives an example of entry fees for a golf tournament Schlicker allegedly represented as costs for a police uniform when he sought reimbursement.

The six counts of wire fraud stem from the bank wiring the deposit transactions to its headquarters in Boise, and from a Chevron gasoline credit card wiring charge information across state lines to its billing center inCalifornia.

There are also four counts of theft of tribal funds detailing checks payable to the Swinomish Police Department which Schlicker allegedly embezzled.

Schlicker was police chief from 1997 until the tribe fired him in September 2014.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Theft of Tribal funds carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

 

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