Fact check
“A Wisconsin tribe operated a lending operation that charged interest rates of 600% or more.”
Reasoning
The claim is corroborated by several ProPublica reports that describe the tribe's lending empire, cite consumer complaints, and reference specific APR figures exceeding 600%. No contradictory evidence is presented.
On confidence: Multiple primary ProPublica investigative articles directly state that the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians operated a lending operation charging annual interest rates of 600% or more.
Important context
The evidence comes from investigative journalism (ProPublica) focusing on tribal lending practices and consumer complaints, indicating the operation was based on the tribe's sovereign status to bypass state usury laws.
Evidence
Supporting (6)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus’ Business-Friendly Move — ProPublica
Wisconsin Tribe Built a Lending Empire Charging 600% Annual Rates to Borrowers I’ve used the complaints to report on high-interest tribal loans that skirt state interest rate caps to charge 600% interest or more. CFPB complaints helped…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus’ Business-Friendly Move — ProPublica
some accountability, revisiting the complaints also offers a taste of what we’ll be missing. 1. A Wisconsin Tribe Built a Lending Empire Charging 600% Annual Rates to Borrowers I’ve used the complaints to report on high-interest tribal…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus’ Business-Friendly Move — ProPublica
over $11,000 for a $1,200 loan,” calling the 790% rate “beyond predatory.” In emails to ProPublica, the tribe’s president, John Johnson Sr., defended the tribe’s lending business as legal and said the loans help people “without access to…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWisconsin Tribe Built a Lending Empire on 600% APR Loans — ProPublica
consumer complaints, thousands of people across the country make pleas for relief from high-interest loans with punishing annual rates that often exceed 600%. Although they borrowed small sums online from a slew of businesses with catchy…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWisconsin Tribe Built a Lending Empire on 600% APR Loans — ProPublica
The lending operations of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians are based in this building on the Wisconsin reservation. Tim Gruber for ProPublica Desperate Loans A Wisconsin Tribe Built a Lending Empire Charging 600%…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWisconsin Tribe Built a Lending Empire on 600% APR Loans — ProPublica
Online Loans: A Wisconsin tribe built a lending empire on high-interest lending, relying on its sovereign rights to avoid state interest rate caps. Bankruptcies and Complaints: A ProPublica analysis found that the tribe’s companies are…
Limitations
All sources are from the same news organization; independent verification from court records or regulatory filings is not provided in the supplied evidence.
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 4:22 AM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
The Federal Agency That’s Supposed to Protect Consumers Just Made Another Business-Friendly MoveProPublica · Joel Jacobs