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Former Tribal Leader Charged with Embezzlement

Cherokee Nation Welcome Center

 

The former director of the Cherokee Nation Foundation in Oklahoma has been charged with nine counts of embezzlement.

The Muskogee Phoenix reports that Cherokee Nation prosecutors filed the charges against 46-year-old Kimberlie Gilliland in Cherokee Nation District Court Thursday. It is unclear if Gilliland has an attorney.

Gilliland is accused of using funds from the foundation for personal reasons, including vacations to California, computers, food, a Tulsa parking ticket and an online master's degree.

In a separate filing, an attorney representing the foundation is seeking about $1.1 million in punitive and actual damages.

Gilliland was appointed as the nonprofit's director in 2009 and served in that position until 2013.

She's scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 12.