Tribal Official Embezzled Federal Monies Using Tribal Charge Card

The OIG investigated an allegation that a tribal official stole Federal funds by using a tribal charge card for personal expenses. We found that the official embezzled more than $98,000 by charging personal expenses to tribal government charge cards assigned to him from December 2009 until July 2015, when the tribe canceled all tribal government charge cards. The theft included charges for restaurants, airfare, retail purchases, food, and utility and telephone services. The charges were billed to the tribe and paid using a combination of Federal and tribal funds. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island declined prosecution. The tribal official refused our request for an interview.