BISMARCK -- Several Barnes County residents face criminal charges for obtaining bogus driver's licenses, vehicle registration, and "assurance" coverage from an illegal insurance seller, authorities say.
The cases involve the Little Shell Pembina Band, an organization that state Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman ordered shut down in February because it is not licensed to sell insurance.
Little Shell Pembina Band is not a federally recognized tribe and Poolman said his department's investigation indicates the group sells tribal memberships to non-Indians interested in buying insurance.
Several drivers from the Dazey area, when stopped recently by law enforcement, have shown officers Little Shell Pembina Band documents as proof of driver's licenses, vehicle titles, vehicle registration and insurance, said Barnes County State's Attorney Robin Huseby.
None of the Little Shell documents are valid, said Keith Kiser, director of the state Motor Vehicle Division.
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"It appears people are titling and registering their cars with Little Shell, believing they're legal documents, that they meet the requirements of registration and titling of vehicles," Kiser said. "My opinion is they do not."
Some defendants are awaiting trial dates and charges are pending against others, Huseby said. Charges include driving with a suspended license and driving without liability insurance. Charges are pending against one driver for no insurance, failure to transfer a vehicle title, failure to register a vehicle and unlawful display of a plate or tab. Huseby sent copies of defendants' Little Shell documents to Kiser last week and asked for his help testifying if the cases go to trial.
None of the defendants could be reached for comment, either because no one answered the phone or because no listing could be found.
Poolman and Huseby said "assurance" coverage from an unlicensed organization is no coverage at all.
If the people with Little Shell "assurance" cards are in an accident with someone, the other driver won't be able to collect damages, Huseby said.
"An assurance card is not going to help you or me," she said. "Where's the insurance? I'm deeply concerned."
Poolman said those concerns are why he ordered Little Shell to cease and desist; he did not want North Dakotans buying worthless coverage.
He found out Monday through Kiser's office that several people apparently bought from Little Shell and now face legal problems."This is exactly what we were afraid was going to happen," he said.
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Poolman has not been able to talk to anyone from Little Shell since he first started investigating it. He said the Bismarck man listed as chief of the Little Shell Pembina Band of North America, Ron Delorme, has never responded to the cease-and-desist order.
Delorme could not be reached for comment.
Kiser said some tribes do issue valid vehicle registrations. In North Dakota, Spirit Lake Nation, Fort Totten, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa at Belcourt issue titles and registration to members, but do not offer tribal driver's license or insurance. The two tribes worked with Kiser's office to set up procedures. But Little Shell has not.
"It appears to be an attempt to circumvent the requirements of state law," Kiser said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830
