Convicted Bank Fraudster Sentenced to Justice After Stealing Over $100,000 from Spokane Tribe of Indians' Foster Care Program

Strategic Insights -

Tawhnee Willow Colvin, a former Assistant Director of the Spokane Tribe of Indians' Department of Health and Human Services and Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), has been convicted of twenty-five counts of Bank Fraud and one count of Embezzlement. As evidence presented at the trial established, Colvin had access to the Spokane Tribe of Indians bank account, which held per capita funds for the care of needy children. Between October 2019 and November 2023, Colvin abused her position of trust to make over seventy fraudulent money transfers, totaling over $50,000, from the DCFS bank account to her own personal bank account, and took out over $50,000 in cash.

Key Takeaways:

  • Colvin, a former Assistant Director of the Spokane Tribe of Indians' DCFS, was convicted of twenty-five counts of Bank Fraud and one count of Embezzlement.
  • The crimes occurred between October 2019 and November 2023, during which time Colvin made over seventy fraudulent money transfers, totaling over $50,000.
  • Colvin also took out over $50,000 in cash from the DCFS bank account.
  • The funds stolen from the Spokane Tribe of Indians' foster care program were intended for the care of needy children.
  • Colvin was terminated from her position on October 23, 2023, but continued to fraudulently transfer funds to her personal account after her termination.
  • The FBI invested significant resources in investigating the case, and the United States Attorney's Office worked diligently to bring Colvin to justice.
  • The case highlights the importance of accountability and the need to safeguard funds entrusted to public servants.

Statistics:

  • Over seventy fraudulent money transfers were made by Colvin between October 2019 and November 2023.
  • The total value of the fraudulent transactions exceeded $100,000.
  • Colvin took out over $50,000 in cash from the DCFS bank account.
  • The stolen funds were intended for the care of needy children in foster care.

Sources:

  • US FBI Spokane
  • United States Attorney Pete Serrano
  • Spokane Tribe of Indians
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • United States Attorney's Office
  • Contify.com
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