Alleged theft at tribal bingo parlor leads to federal felony charge

Update: 2 hours ago Published: 2 hours ago

Federal prosecutors have charged a Fairbanks woman with stealing from an Alaska Native tribe after allegedly taking money from a tribal-owned bingo parlor while she worked there.

Mesepa Tagovailoa agreed to plead guilty, according to documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Alaska.

According to prosecutors, Tagovailoa illegally took more than $4,000 belonging to Chena Bingo while he worked there as a manager.

Although the alleged crime involves a relatively small amount of money, Chena Bingo is co-owned by the Tanana Chiefs Conference, the Village of Grayling (a federally recognized tribe), the Fairbanks Native Association, and the Athabascan Fiddlers Association.

Because Grayling is entitled to 25 percent of Chena Bingo's proceeds, the alleged theft became a federal crime.

Tagovailoa's federal public defender declined to comment, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Brickey did not return a message seeking further information.

Although the alleged theft carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, prosecutors agreed to “recommend a sentence that is at the lower end of the guideline range” as part of the deal of advocacy.

A hearing is scheduled for July 11.

Originally published by Alaska Beaconan independent, nonpartisan news organization that covers Alaska state government.