CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A well-known anti-Chief Wahoo activist was indicted in federal court Wednesday and charged with stealing more than $77,000 in grant money meant to benefit Native Americans in Northeast Ohio.

Robert Roche, 70, faces charges of conspiracy and two counts of theft of government funds. His indictment comes after a multi-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Roche, a Cleveland resident, worked with consultant Craig McGuire to steal money from the Parma-based American Indian Education Center. Roche is the executive director of the nonprofit, which was established in 1995.

Roche obtained a grant in 2011 through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The "Circle of Care" grant was supposed to support mental health and wellness programs for Native American children and families, according to the indictment.

SAMHSA awarded Roche's nonprofit more than $302,340 for fiscal year 2012 and $308,040 in fiscal year 2013. Prosecutors said Roche and Craig McGuire, a consultant he hired as a grant writer, embezzled a combined $183,703.55 from the grant money.

Roche's nonprofit received $482,766 from SAMHSA from 2011 through 2013 and did not get all the money awarded to it because SAMHSA placed it in "high risk" status, the indictment says.

Prosecutors said Roche paid himself by classifying himself as a project coordinator of the programs funded by the grant, even though the grant's regulations precluded him from doing so. The grant applications also identified another person as the project coordinator, according to the indictment.

The grant applications also had several false statements, including a claim the center had a wellness department and a "Positive Paths" after-school program, prosecutors said. It fraudulently listed people the center allegedly employed and mischaracterized the description of the center's building and physical amenities, prosecutors said.

"Mr. Roche took tens of thousands of dollars earmarked for Native American children and families and put the money in his own pockets," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said in a news release.

Reached by cellphone on Wednesday afternoon, Roche referred questions to his attorney Larry Zukerman. Zukerman said he would discuss the case after Roche is arraigned.

Roche has been a vocal advocate for the need for more resources for Native Americans. He has also been a well-known face in the movement to rid Cleveland of Chief Wahoo, the controversial mascot of the Indians.

McGuire, of Lewis Center, pleaded guilty to federal charges in April. Prosecutors said Roche paid McGuire with grant money, which is prohibited by federal rules.

He has agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation and to testify at trial if asked. If he does what he is asked, he could face a sentence of between eight and 14 months in federal prison.

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