Ex-Oberlin College Instructor and Activist for Indians Steals Their Funding – IOTW Report

Ex-Oberlin College Instructor and Activist for Indians Steals Their Funding

Chronicle-

CLEVELAND — A former Oberlin College instructor and an activist for indigenous people pleaded guilty to stealing funds from the American Indian Education Center of Cleveland, where he was executive director.

Robert Roche, 70, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and theft of government funds in the U.S. District Court of Northern Ohio on May 16. His trial had been scheduled to begin this week.

According to the indictment, which was filed last summer, Roche embezzled grant money from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Native Americans. The money was aimed at providing Native American communities with resources to support mental health and wellness.

Roche, who was an instructor of American Indian History at Oberlin College in 2005-06, was a proponent of getting rid of the “Indians” name and Native American logo at Oberlin Schools in 2006. He also has said the Cleveland Indians’ Chief Wahoo mascot is racist, according to an Associated Press story.

He spoke at an Oberlin City Council meeting last summer on behalf of his organization in favor of changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

The charges stated Roche “knowingly and intentionally” conspired to steal funds from this “Circle of Care” grant.

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ht/ brown eyed girl

12 Comments on Ex-Oberlin College Instructor and Activist for Indians Steals Their Funding

  1. Too often these days, I feel like I’ve tumbled down the rabbit hole, bashed my head, everything is upside down and some damn cat keeps grinning at me.
    …..Lady in Red

    6
  2. Talk about being red faced.
    That attention whore would run to any camera he could find. Loved the attention. Holier than thou attitude. Nice to see him in front of a judge instead of in front of Jacobs…..err Progressive field.

    4
  3. “American Indian Education Center”…do they have field trips to Mount Rushmore for busloads of bird-flippers? I guess you’d need a reservation for that.

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