SAN DIEGO (CN) - The former executive director of the Indian [Native American] Human Resource Center was charged with embezzling $140,000 from the nonprofit, much of which he apparently gambled away.
David Hedley, 38, of San Diego is charged with eight felony counts of thefts from a program receiving federal funds. The FBI arrested him in Riverside.
The IHRC was established to train Native Americans and help them get jobs outside their tribes.
Hedley worked quickly, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He was executive director of the group for just 3 months-from Sept. 10 to Dec. 11, 2012.
"During that time, Hedley is believed to have stolen approximately $140,000 from the nonprofit," prosecutors said in the statement.
The statement continued: "According to information disclosed at Hedley's arraignment, on numerous days when Hedley was improperly withdrawing money from IHRC's bank account, he was spending comparable sums gambling at a local Indian casino."
On Oct. 9, 2012, Hedley withdrew $15,000 from an IHRC bank account and bought $15,000 in chips at the Viejas Casino, prosecutors said. Three days later, he withdrew another $20,000 and spent it on chips and gambling tokens at Pala Casino, the U.S. attorney said.
Hedley's bail was set at $100,000. His next court appearance was set for May 9.
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