Lower Brule Sioux Tribe accused of 'misuse' of water project funds

Friday, June 2, 2017  

All three members of South Dakota's Congressional delegation are raising questions about the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and its "misuse" of federal funds.

An investigation by the Office of Inspector General at the Department of the Interior uncovered $1.4 million in questionable spending. The tribe had received the funds in connection with a water delivery project overseen by the Bureau of Reclamation.

But the tribe is only repaying a small portion of that amount -- $54,190, to be exact. That has lawmakers concerned.

“The misuse of taxpayer dollars must be taken seriously, so the Bureau of Reclamation’s announcement is concerning,” Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) told The Sioux Falls Argus Leader. “Taxpayers deserve a better explanation of the rationale behind this decision.”

A May 17 press release from Reclamation said the agency and the tribe worked together to come up with an amount to be repaid.

Read More on the Story:
Lower Brule Tribe won't be forced to pay back missing taxpayer funds (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/30)

Lower Brule Sioux Tribe repays money to address federal audit (May 18, 2017)

Inspector General Report:
Audit of Cooperative Agreement No. R95AV60020 Between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (December 2016)

Human Rights Watch Report:
Secret and Unaccountable: The Tribal Council at Lower Brule and Its Impact on Human Rights (January 2015)