Wealthy Pequot Tribe receives federal funds

The Manshantucket Peqout Tribal Nation of Connecticut owns a successful casino but still receives federal funds, WABC reports.

Over the last five years, the tribe received at least $17 million in grants. WABC said the "handouts" are being used for road maintenance, a fire department, education, a police department and other programs.

"These are not basic needs for the tribe. These seem to be something that could be done by the tribe on its own," Tom Schatz of Citizens Against Government Waste told the station.

The tribe returns all of its tribal priority allocation (TPA) money to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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Controversy over Indian tribe's grant grab (WABC 11/28)