A member of the Ute Tribe has been indicted on 9 felony counts of extortion by a federal grand jury in connection with alleged donations he required while working as an employee for the Ute Tribe. The indictment for Leallen Blackhair is dated January 10th and states that the illegal activity took place from 2010 to 2013 while Blackhair worked as a supervisor for the Ute Energy and Minerals Department. After Blackhair was fired from his position, the Ute Tribal Business Committee hired Baker Street Group, Inc. out of San Diego to investigate the actions of Leallen Blackhair and their investigative report, dated May 16th, 2014, stated that interviews and documents “substantiate complaints that Leallen Blackhair used his position as supervisor of compliance at the UTE Energy and Minerals Department, under color of official right, to extort money from victims who, out of fear of retaliation if no payment was made, paid Blackhair money in the form of checks and/or cash.” According to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court, Blackhair used his position to obtain approximately $110,000 dollars from approximately 66 companies and individuals. The indictment includes a Notice of Intent to Seek Forfeiture holding Blackhair accountable for the $110,000 dollars extorted. Blackhair is facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges and is scheduled for his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in February.
