Former Narragansett Tribe employee pleads innocent to embezzlement charges

Providence - A former employee of the Narragansett Indian Tribe pleaded not guilty Friday in federal court to an indictment charging her with embezzling funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rosilyn Brown, 61, a former director of the tribe's housing authority, is charged with embezzling more than $100,000 in HUD funds the tribe received through the department's Office of Native American Programs between October 2008 and June 2009.

If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Brown's indictment and arraignment before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David L. Martin was announced by U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha.

Brown was released on a $15,000 unsecured bond.

- Brian Hallenbeck