December 17, 2021
PUYALLUP RESERVATION, TACOMA, Wash.—The Puyallup Tribal Council applauds the United States Attorney’s Office in Seattle for its thorough investigation and prosecution of three non-Indian individuals and one non-Puyallup Indian for money-laundering activities and violations of tax laws.
The Puyallup Tribe works diligently to make sure that fraud and tax law violations are not allowed to go forward in areas under the Tribe’s control. It is important to understand that neither the Tribe nor any Tribal member had any involvement in the illegal activities prosecuted in this case.
Smokeshops licensed by the Tribe engage in the retail sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. None of those smokeshops in any way violated federal, state, or Tribal tax laws in the events involved in this case.
The Tribe will continue, as it has always done, to regulate the activities of its licensees in order to prevent, and where necessary, prosecute, any violations of tax and other laws.
Details of the case can be found in The Justice Department’s press release.
About the Puyallup Tribe of Indians
The Puyallup People have lived along the shores of what is now called Puget Sound since time immemorial. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is a sovereign nation of more than 5,000 members and one of the largest employers in Pierce County. It serves its people and neighbors with generosity and is committed to building a sustainable way of life for future generations. Learn more about the Puyallup Tribe.
About the Puyallup Tribal Council
The Puyallup Tribal Council is the elected governing body of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. The council consists of Chairman Bill Sterud, Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller, Annette Bryan, James Rideout, Anna Bean, Monica Miller and Fred Dillon.
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Contact:
Michael Thompson, Communications Director, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, (253) 382-6200; michael.thompson@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov
