Former official with San Diego County Indian tribe admits embezzling $57,000

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

A former official with the La Posta Band of Mission Indians in San Diego County pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to embezzling $57,000 from the tribe.

Troy Teague, 38, of El Cajon, was executive director of the La Posta Gaming Commission from 2006 to 2011, responsible for maintaining the commission’s financial records and making payments on commission credit cards and a checking account.

Although he knew that he could not use commission funds for personal expenses, he used a credit card and the checking account to pay for membership in a gun club, Home Depot charges, car audio/video components, vacation expenses, restaurant bills, car rentals and entertaining at a comedy club, according to federal prosecutors.

Teague faces a possible five years in prison when sentenced. He pleaded guilty guilty to embezzlement and theft. The tribe’s casino, near the community of Boulevard, closed last year.

--Tony Perry in San Diego