A recent audit by the Housing and Urban Development showed that the Tulalip Tribes used federal funds for first-class travel, Palm Pilots, cellphones, expensive meals and drinks, laptops, night-vision goggles and whale-watching trips, The Everett Herald reported.

The tribes fired all six housing commissioners, disbanded the housing authority and put staff on leave in response to the audit. But two of the terminated commissioners say they didn't do anything wrong.

LilyAnn Robbinson and Carmen Burke admit some of the purchases. Robbinson said the entire staff was invited on the trips and that the whale-watching was intended to boost morale.

Tribal leaders say they are trying to correct the problems identified in the audit. Robbinson and Burke say some of the blame lies with tribal officials who blocked housing projects.

Get the Story:
Fired Tulalips spread blame (The Everett Herald 10/16)

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HUD warns Tulalip Tribes about misuse of housing funds (08/25)