Fountain Hills Woman Pleads Guilty to Over $100,000 in Thefts from Tribe and Elderly Tribal Member

PHOENIX—A Fountain Hills woman has admitted to stealing from both the local tribal government that employed her and later from an elderly woman who was availing herself of tribal social services. Monica Thompson, 42, said that between November 2005 and December 2006, while employed by the Salt River-Maricopa Indian Community as manager of the Temporary Aid to Needy Families program, she stole more than $87,000 from the tribe.

Thompson admitted doing so by submitting approximately 36 fraudulent invoices requesting payments for goods and services purportedly purchased by the tribe. She also admitted that between October 2008 and February 2009, while employed by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation as a social worker supervisor, she gained access to the checking account of a 76-year-old woman who was a client of the social services agency and stole approximately $24,000.

Thompson appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michelle Burns today and pleaded guilty to Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds and Use of an Unauthorized Access Device. Each is a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing is scheduled on December 7, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg.

The investigations was conducted by the Fort McDowell Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Frank T. Galati, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-09-1153-PHX-JAT

RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-293 (Thompson)