Former native coalition employees sentenced for stealing grant money

Two former officials with the Montana Native Women's Coalition were sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution after each admitted to stealing federal grant funds for unapproved spending, including travel to Las Vegas.

According to acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson, Sheryl Lynn Lawrence, 45, of Colstrip, who was the coalition's executive director, was sentenced Tuesday to three years of probation and ordered to pay $35,127 in restitution with co-defendant Meredith McConnell, the coalition's former chairwoman. Lawrence pleaded guilty on Feb. 4 to theft of federal funds.

McConnell, 51, of Lame Deer, was convicted on April 2 in a federal jury trial of crimes related to the unauthorized spending of grant funding and is awaiting sentencing.

Co-defendant Barbara Mary Daychief, 45, of Browning, who was the coalition's board treasurer, was sentenced on June 17 to two years of probation and ordered solely liable for $2,973 restitution. Daychief pleaded guilty on Jan. 22 to theft of federal funds.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided over the case.

"As executive director and board treasurer, Lawrence and Daychief held trusted positions within the coalition," Johnson said. "By stealing the coalition's federal grant money to spend for their own benefit, Lawrence and Daychief prevented the money from being used as intended — helping Native American victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Our office will prosecute and hold accountable those who misuse grant funding."

In court documents, the government said that the purpose of the Lame Deer-based coalition is to help Native American victims of domestic and sexual violence. The coalition receives funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women, which provides grants for victim services.