Embezzlement trial set for former tribal lending executives

HELENA, Mont. (AP) – A judge has scheduled a trial next month for two former executives of an online lending company owned by the Chippewa Cree Tribe.

Neal Rosette and Billi Anne Morsette have pleaded not guilty to embezzling more than $55,000 in tribal funds. Prosecutors say they funneled the money through the lending company, First American Capital Resources, to themselves and former tribal councilman John “Chance” Houle.

U.S. District Judge Brian Morris set a Oct. 26 trial date in Great Falls if a plea agreement is not reached by Oct. 12.

Houle is serving a 5 1/2 -year prison sentence under separate embezzlement and tax-evasion plea deal that protects him from future prosecutions.

Rosette and Morsette started with First American in 2010, then played leading roles with the tribe's new online lending company, Plain Green.