STATEMENT:

On or about March 14^th, 2000, I attended a meeting at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Rapid City, South Dakota. Present at the meeting was Chief Oliver Red Cloud, Floyd Hand, Roger Bird, U.S. Attorney Ted McBride, U.S. Assistant Attorney Sally Galuzzo, and another unidentified attorney.

The purpose of the meeting was to request an investigation into the misuse of tribal funds on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Specifically, we were requesting that the U.S. Attorney investigate Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs, the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Treasurer and custodian of all tribal funds.

At one point during our conversation, Roger Bird asked U.S. Attorney Ted McBride whether or not he felt that they would be able to prosecute Mr. Jacobs and others for criminal fraud or embezzlement. Mr. McBride responded by saying that they will have to review all of the evidence, but that they probably wouldn’t be able to prosecute on some issues; maybe the offenders might have to end up paying something back to the Tribe, not sure yet. Roger Bird questioned whether or not Mr. McBride had a personal relationship with Mr. Jacobs; if he was in Jacobs’ "pocket". Mr. McBride stated that he is friends with Mr. Jacobs and travels to the Pine Ridge Reservation to go "horseback riding" with Mr. Jacobs. Roger Bird questioned whether or not this was a one-time occurrence or does U.S. Attorney McBride frequently go riding with Mr. Jacobs. Mr. McBride responded by stating that he frequently goes "riding" with Mr. Jacobs. Then the conversation turned to other issues concerning treaty rights.

Signed this ____ day of April, 2000.

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