The Latest: Montana tribe says it’s reviewing federal audit

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Latest on a federal audit that says Montana’s Crow Indian Tribe misused money meant for water system improvements (all times local):

5:20 p.m.

Montana’s Crow Indian Tribe says it’s reviewing a U.S. audit saying it misused $4.8 million intended for water system improvements and can’t fully account for an additional $7.8 million paid to subcontractors and vendors.

The government findings released Tuesday mark the third time in recent years that the tribe has come under scrutiny for its handling of federal money.

A spokesman says Crow Chairman A.J. Not Afraid Jr. is reviewing the audit.

The Interior Department’s inspector general also found that U.S. officials did not properly oversee the money. It was awarded to the tribe under a $460 million settlement of historical water rights claims.

Investigators have previously faulted Crow officials for failing to account for $14.5 million in transportation grants and diverting $2 million from a transit grant to the tribal budget.

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3:15 p.m.

Government investigators say Montana’s Crow Indian Tribe can’t account for $12 million meant for water system improvements and that it misused much of the money on unauthorized expenses.

The findings in a government audit released Tuesday mark the third time in recent years that the tribe has come under scrutiny for its handling of federal money.

The Interior Department’s inspector general also found that federal officials did not properly oversee the money. It was awarded to the tribe under a $460 million settlement of historical water rights claims.

Investigators faulted Crow officials in June for failing to account for $14.5 million in transportation grants and in 2016 for diverting $2 million from a transit grant to the tribal budget.

Tribal officials did not have an immediate comment on Tuesday’s audit.