Elder pleads guilty to two counts of felony theft

By Dean Rhodes

Smoke Signals editor

Former Elders Committee Treasurer Julie Ann Little pleaded guilty to two felony counts of theft from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in Polk County Circuit Court on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Little, 64, was indicted in October on the two counts for allegedly taking more than $1,000 on two occasions from the Elders’ fund account at First Federal Savings & Loan between March and July of 2019. The money was raised from bingo, bake sales and fundraisers that were sponsored by the Elders Activity Center.

Pro Tem Judge Diane M. Morse sentenced Little to 24 months of supervised probation, ordered her to perform 120 hours of community service, and ordered her to pay $2,898.72 in restitution to the Tribe and a $100 fine to the court.

According to Polk County Circuit Court, she paid her restitution and fine in total after her sentencing.

She was represented by Salem attorney Arthur B. Cummins Jr.