JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - An Alaska Native leader pleaded not guilty this week to charges he stole more than $20,000 from two nonprofits.
Robert W. Loescher entered his pleas through his attorney, Julie Willoughby, on Wednesday, the Juneau Empire reported (https://bit.ly/1hObZHj ). Trial was scheduled for August.
Loescher, a former president and CEO of Sealaska Corp., was indicted earlier this month on charges alleging that he stole $21,500 from the Alaska Subsistence Defense Fund and Alaska Traditional Foods Security Council in 2012. Both nonprofits are run by the Alaska Native Brotherhood/Alaska Native Sisterhood Grand Camp, which is the Alaska Native civil rights group in Juneau. The nonprofits were created in 2009, with support from Sealaska.
The Grand Camp has declined comment on the case since it began last year. Several Grand Camp officers are listed as prosecution witnesses.
Prosecutors have released few details about the case.
Loescher, 66, declined comment to the Empire. “Not at this time,” he said. “There’ll be another time when I’d be happy to have a good interview.”
A message regarding the case was left for Willoughby by The Associated Press on Thursday. Loescher has been released on his own recognizance since the case was first brought to court.
Loescher worked at Sealaska for 20 years, serving as president and CEO from 1997 to 2001.
___
Information from: Juneau (Alaska) Empire, https://www.juneauempire.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.