Pine Ridge woman to pay restitution for embezzlement of COVID-19 funds

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The Oglala Sioux Tribe will hopefully see $8,846 in restitution after a Federal Court sentenced Darcel Pourier Monday after she earlier pleaded guilty to embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization.

The factual basis statement in the case says that between January and September 2021, Pourier used that amount of the OST Health Administration Department’s funds to buy items like food, snacks, and gift cards at Buche Grocery store in Pine Ridge. Those funds were meant to be used during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to help people who were struggling on the reservation.

Pourier was sentenced to time already served along with three years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay restitution to the Oglala Sioux Tribe in the same amount that was taken, $8,846.

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