Shiles, Bob. "HUD audit smacks tribe; Must reimburse $114,000". Robesonian [Lumberton, NC] May 10, 2011
The Lumbee Tribe has been ordered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to repay the federal government more than $114,500. The order was issued after an unannounced on-site review of tribal finances conducted on March 29th and 30th of 2011.
“The objective of the review was to determine if the allegations contained in various complaints regarding the housing operations of the tribe could be substantiated,” the report says.
The review revealed eight allegations of use of HUD funds not in accordance with the regulations. This misuse of funds had been going on since January 1, 2010. The report says that HUD staff was assured by Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett and tribal staff that no housing money was used by the tribe for the tribe’s pursuit of federal recognition.