CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A prominent activist known for his opposition to the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo mascot pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing more than $77,000 in federal grant money meant to benefit Native Americans in Northeast Ohio.

Robert Roche, 71, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government funds. Federal prosecutors say he embezzled Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant money awarded to the Parma-based American Indian Education Center, where he served as executive director.

Federal authorities said he used the money to pay personal expenses.

Roche and the U.S. Attorney's Office agreed to recommend a sentence of between 10 and 16 months in federal prison, though both sides can also ask for the judge to vary up or down from that range. Roche also agreed to pay back the money he stole.

Senior U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent will sentence him Aug. 29.

Roche, who is Chiricahua Apache Indian, 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 the team is phasing out. He has had a lower profile since his indictment.

Roche arrived at the courtroom late for Wednesday's hearing. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Greenberg asked Roche a set of standard questions about his mental fitness. Roche noted he was in the early stages of dementia.

After an off-the-record conversation between the judge, prosecutors and Roche's attorney Larry Zukerman -- and then one between Zukerman and Roche -- Roche indicated he was fully cognizant of the plea and the proceeding. He read along with his plea agreement as Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandro Abreu recited the facts of his case out loud and indicated they were correct.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services investigated Roche for several years before his indictment in August.

Investigators said Roche worked with consultant Craig McGuire to steal Circle of Care grant money. McGuire, whose company wrote grant applications, pleaded guilty in April 2017 to conspiracy and theft of government funds.

The grants the pair secured were supposed to support mental health and wellness programs for Native American children and families, according to Roche's indictment.

Prosecutors said SAMHSA sent Roche's non-profit $482,766 grants between 2011 and 2013 and did not get all the money it was awarded because SAMHSA placed it in "high risk" status. Of that money, Roche and McGuire embezzled a combined $183,703, according to the indictment.

Roche took a salary by classifying himself as a project coordinator of the programs paid for by the grant, even though the grant's regulations precluded him from doing so, prosecutors said. The grant applications also contained false statements, prosecutors say.

"This defendant stole from taxpayers and betrayed the Native American families he purported to help," U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said in a statement.

Zukerman declined to comment after the hearing.

McGuire, of Lewis Center, agreed to cooperate with the government when he pleaded guilty. He has yet to be sentenced.

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