United States of America v. Cayle Leigh Klinekole

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma embezzlement charge criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant Cayle Leigh Klinekole, 48, of Elgin, who was charged withembezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization.



On October 30, 2020 Klinekole pleaded guilty to a single-count felony Indictment charging her with embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization.



Klinekole worked at the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Intertribal Land Use Committee ("KCA") as the Executive Director from 2016 to 2017. The KCA is a designated representative body of each of the three tribes authorized to manage and conduct business regarding jointly owned lands. During the time of her employment, Klinekole stole funds by forging checks, entering into labor agreements with companies without proper authorization, and making unauthorized purchases on credit accounts at different vendors.



On April 15, 2021, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced Klinekole to serve 5 years of probation, including home confinement for the first year, and 50 hours of community service. Judge Goodwin also ordered Klinekole to pay $194,573.18 in restitution to the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Intertribal Land Use Committee. In announcing the sentence, Judge Goodwin noted the nature and circumstances of the offense and the need for the sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense.



This case is the result of an investigation by the Comanche Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Cárdenas prosecuted the case.



18:1163 EMBEZZLEMENT AND THEFT FROM INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS

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Defendant sentenced to 5 years probation. Restitution of $194,573.18 and S/A fee of $100.00 due immediately.