MUSKOGEE, Okla. — An Ada man who pled guilty to stealing nearly $500,000 from the Chickasaw Nation has been sentenced to two years in prison, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma confirmed in a press release.

Christopher Wallace Covington, age 43, was charged with embezzling federal funds in 2022 after an FBI investigation.

Investigators alleged that Covington, an accounting manager for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Treasury, embezzled the nearly half million from the Chickasaw Nation from Jan. 2017 until May 2021. Wallace pled guilty to one count of Theft Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds on March 25, 2022.

The case was moved through federal court because the Chickasaw Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribal government and receives federal assistance.

"The defendant deliberately exploited his position to steal nearly half a million dollars in federal funds from his employer," said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. "We will continue to partner with the U.S. Attorney's Office to protect the integrity of taxpayer dollars and take swift action against those who embezzle funds intended to assist our tribal communities."

"The defendant abused his position of trust over many years to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funds intended to benefit Chickasaw students," said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.  "This office stands together with our Tribal partners in seeking prosecution of crimes that would deprive the future of Native Americans in the Eastern District."

Along with jail time, Covington will have to pay a fine equal to the amount he stole. He will report to federal prison on Oct. 26, 2023 to serve his sentence without parole.