Small California tribe pockets millions amid fraud claims from members

Key Points:

• The Alturas Indian Rancheria, a five-member Northern California tribe, has received over $34 million in federal and state-administered funds since 2005, despite allegations from members that tribal leaders Phillip Del Rosa and Darren Rose are exploiting sovereign status for personal gain.
• Two members, Wendy Del Rosa and Jennifer Chrisman, accuse Del Rosa and Rose of running tribal businesses as private enterprises, embezzling funds, avoiding taxes, and providing no tribal benefits such as healthcare or education to other members.
• Past court documents and audits reveal questionable financial practices, including undocumented transactions and allegations of theft, while Rose faced a $765,000 civil penalty for tax violations related to untaxed cigarette sales.
• The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) recognized the tribe's governing body on an interim basis in 2012, but despite repeated requests from members, the BIA has not withdrawn recognition of the current leadership, though it issued a cease and desist letter in June for unauthorized commercial activities.
• Members calling for the tribe’s federal recognition to be revoked argue it is necessary to stop misuse of funds, while the Department of Interior maintains its limited authority due to tribal sovereignty and supports tribal self-determination.