A deputy director for the Indian Health Service continues to draw a $125,109 annual salary despite being under an internal investigation.

Shelly R. Harris was placed on leave over a year ago. She has performed some duties "at home," her boss said at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday.

It's not clear why Harris was placed on leave. Charlene Red Thunder, the director of the Aberdeen Area, would not disclose details at the hearing.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-North Dakota), the committee chairman, said he was surprised by the information. Harris was not a list that was supplied to the committee as part of its investigation into the Aberdeen Area.

"It all comes back to effective management," Dorgan said at the hearing. "You say, 'Here are our expectations. Meet it or leave.' "

Get the Story:
Alleged misconduct puts IHS officials in hot seat (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 9/29)
Report: Indian Health Service hired criminals (AP 9/28)

Committee Hearing:
OVERSIGHT HEARING titled, In Critical Condition: The Urgent Need to Reform Indian Health Service's Aberdeen Area (September 28, 2010)

Related Stories:
Audio from Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigation of IHS (9/28)
IHS to face scrutiny at Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing (9/28)
Witness list for Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing into IHS (9/27)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets hearing on probe into IHS (9/21)
IHS sends investigator to review concerns at North Dakota clinic (9/14)
Sen. Dorgan threatens subpoena of IHS for ongoing investigation (08/25)
Senate Indian Affairs Committee launches investigation of IHS (06/30)
Agenda for Senate Indian Affairs Committee business meeting (6/29)