Former charity boss gets 3 years in $4 million theft scheme

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A former head of a national charity has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for his role in a scheme that stole $4 million from the nonprofit, depriving hundreds of poor Native American students of a chance for college scholarships.

The Oregonian reports that Brian Brown was sentenced Monday in federal court in Portland. Brown apologized to U.S. District Judge Michael Simon, who last year found him guilty for his role in a conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering.

Brown said he was “very ashamed” that he failed Texas-based National Relief Charities.

Charity president Robbi Rice Dietrich told the judge that staffers spent many hours correcting public perceptions about the organization.

Federal prosecutors said Brown established a nonprofit called Charity One when he stepped down as president of National Relief Charities in 2005. Charity One did business as the American Indian Education Endowment Fund. Prosecutors say Brown and a co-conspirator induced his former charity to fund Charity One with $4 million, which Brown said would be used for scholarships.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com