Investigation of Alleged Diversion of Royalty Payments by Chippewa Cree Tribe Members

When OIG investigated allegations that members of the Chippewa Cree Tribe (CCT) diverted royalty payments intended for a trust account, we found that CCT had purchased two gas leases and hired an independent party to manage sales and royalty disbursements. The independent party paid royalties on behalf of CCT and kept the remaining funds in a trust account until CCT requested the fund transfer. OIG did not identify any misapplied or illegally diverted royalty payments. This is a summary of information that was referred to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for any action deemed appropriate. We did not require a response.