Watch CBS News

2nd Man Sentenced For Tribal Embezzlement

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A Brainerd man has been sentenced for embezzling more than $600,000 from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

A federal judge sentenced 31-year-old Eric Makowski to 2-and-a-half years in prison on one count of embezzlement from a tribal organization.

Makowski was a construction project manager for the band. In his plea agreement, he admitted that between 2005 and June 2007 he coordinated fraudulent and excessive payments to contractors, then arranged kickbacks from a vendor.

Last month, 33-year-old Jason Heinlen of Belle Plaine was sentenced to five years of probation for aiding and abetting the embezzlement.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.