Ex-Okla. tribal housing head admits embezzlement

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – The former executive director of the Delaware Tribe’s housing authority will be formally sentenced Sept. 6 after pleading guilty to a federal charge of embezzling tribal funds.

Michael Ellick says he made a “bad management decision” when he used a Housing Authority credit card on June 14, 2010, to make a $1,551 delinquent payment on his truck.

According to the Tulsa World, Tribal Manager Curtis Zunigha says Ellick was fired Sept. 2 after an audit of Housing Authority financial records by the tribe found alleged “questionable financial practices” by Ellick.

Ellick pleaded guilty June 7 only to the June 2010 transaction but agreed that he owes an additional $1,373 in restitution.

Assistant Federal Public Defender Stephen Greubel said that amount is for other personal transactions Ellick made using tribal funds.

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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com