Indian Country Corruption
Adrian Jawort
11/26/13
Corruption had long been a staple of some Montana tribal governments, but after the American Recovery and Reinvestment (“stimulus bill”) monies flooded Indian country with millions of dollars, the focus towards how tribes have spent money allotted to help their poorest members has been increased with pressure from all fronts from politicians, citizens, to tribal members themselves. With only $2.3 million recouped from $69 million in “questionable expenditures” according to a recent independent Associated Press audit, in 2011 then FBI Director Robert Mueller ordered FBI offices to combat rampant corruption on Indian reservations. Along with the Office of the Inspector General, FBI, and IRS, the Montana U.S. Attorney Michael Cotter heads the Montana Guardians Project has been chosen to oversee – as well as be overwhelmed – potential corruption has been a welcome to many tribal members who have seen those in tribal government get rich while the rest of the populace often stagnates economically.