A man who led protests against the Cleveland Indians’ mascot over its racist portrayal of Native Americans is now in jail after embezzling thousands in federal grant money meant to help Native Americans.
Robert Roche was sentenced to four months in jail followed by four months of house arrest and a $77,000 fine, according to the Associated Press. Roche “pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from programs receiving federal funds in May.”
According to the federal government, that money was meant to help Native Americans and would have gone to fund programs tackling “mental health” and overall wellness issues in the Native American community. The money came from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and was directed to the American Indian Education Center, where Roche, who claims Native American ancestry, serves as an executive director.
Roche told the sentencing judge that he took the money in the form of payroll checks to “help the community,” but was short on specifics.
Roche is best known for his prominent role protesting Chief Wahoo, and frequently confronted fans in Chief Wahoo gear outside of the Indians’ stadium in Cleveland. He was even the subject of a documentary on Native American activism in Ohio.
The Indians announced, back in January, that the 2017-2018 season would be Chief Wahoo’s last season as the mascot of the Cleveland Indians. The team has already removed the logo from merchandise.