"Members of the Lumbee Tribal Council who last week rushed to proclaim the news that housing money had been going unspent since 2007 and an $18 million windfall had piled up that could now be spread around, simply shot themselves in the foot.

That is what happens when you fire first and aim later.

The head cheerleaders were Speaker Pearlean Revels and Councilman McDuffie Cummings, the former town manager of Pembroke. Cummings, who knows more than most about government budgets, on Tuesday tried to clear up the confusion, and his side of the story is in today’s The Robesonian. He makes good points, raises questions that need answering, but his words don’t explain away a public debacle that didn’t have to be."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Rush to judgment (The Robesonian 9/26)

Also Today:
Confusion remains on HUD funding (The Robesonian 9/26)

Another Opinion:
Eric R. Locklear: Tribal election next month would violate constitution (The Robesonian 9/26)

Government Accountability Office Report:
Federal Funding for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes GAO-12-348 (April 12, 2012)

Related Stories:
HUD clears up confusion over 'extra' $18M in Lumbee account (9/25)
Lumbee Tribe worried about loss of HUD funds with GAO report (08/27)
Lumbee Tribe expected to receive $13M in federal housing funds (6/26)
Letter: State recognized tribes are just as authentic as others (05/16)
GAO reportedly looks at funding for state recognized tribes (5/8)
HUD orders Lumbee Tribe to repay over $98K for misusing funds (08/18)
Editorial: Lumbee Tribe works really hard to discredit itself (05/16)
Consultant for Lumbee Tribe was paid $30K for handbook (5/13)
Lumbee Tribe ordered to pay $115K for misusing HUD funds (5/10)
Chairman of Lumbee Tribe wants HUD to audit housing funds (3/29)
Council at Lumbee Tribe fires administrator hired by chairman (3/25)
Lumbee Tribe moving toward shutdown in dispute with chairman (3/10)