Former Swinomish Police Chief facing 10 felony counts

Former Swinomish Police Chief Thomas Schlicker entered “not guilty” pleas in federal court on Monday to six counts of wire fraud and four counts of theft.

Schlicker, 57, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 19 and stands accused of defrauding the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of more than $30,000 by depositing money intended for the police department into a secret bank account and claiming reimbursement from the tribe for personal expenses, claiming they were job related.

According to the court documents, Schlicker was arrested on Monday, arraigned in the U.S. District Court Western District of Washington in Seattle and released on his own recognizance with an appearance bond containing numerous conditions.

His trial date is May 26, and he was assigned a federal public defender. In order to remain out of custody, Schlicker had to sign an agreement that he would surrender his passport and enhanced drivers license, and his travel is restricted to Western Washington. The document he signed also states that he must submit to drug and alcohol testing, is prohibited from access to firearms, must undergo mental health evaluations, and he is barred from contact with witnesses involved in the case.

The indictment against Schlicker alleges that starting in 2008, he put money into a Washington Federal account he opened in the name of the Swinomish Police Department, listing himself as the only authorized signer.

The tribe’s actual account, where the money was supposed to be deposited, was at Key Bank. In addition, all checks made out to the tribe are supposed to be handled by the tribe’s 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 seeking 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 computer server in Boise and from a Chevron gasoline credit card wiring charge information across state lines.

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

Schlicker, who lives in Stanwood, was chief of the Swinomish Police Department from 1997 until the tribe fired him in August 2014.

If he is convicted he could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the wire fraud. Theft of tribal funds carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.