Investigation of Misuse of Crow Transit Building Funds

We investigated allegations that the Crow Tribe misappropriated Federal Highway Administration grant funds. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Division of Transportation, administered the $2,564,045 grant to the Crow Tribe for the construction of a transit facility on the reservation and an additional terminal in separate location. The BIA Transportation Branch, Rocky Mountain Regional Office (RMRO), oversaw the project. A confidential informant alleged that the Crow Tribe used the money to offset general fund operations. 

 

An independent review of a 2013 audit of the Tribe confirmed the misuse of funds, and we found that the BIA Superintendent responsible for Crow Tribe activities was aware of the misappropriation and failed to take action. The Branch of Transportation, BIA RMRO, was responsible for the administration of the award to build the transit building and acknowledged he did not provide appropriate oversight to the project. 

 

This is a summary of a report of investigation that was issued to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for action.