The Bureau of Indian Affairs was unable to complete its emergency review of a California tribe's finances because an employee locked a file cabinet and didn't leave a key.

The BIA went to the Mesa Grande Reservation at the request of tribal leaders who suspect theft and misuse of funds. The BIA planned to review the books for a day pending a full audit.

But the effort hit a snag when the only employee with a key to the cabinet left for a dentist's appointment on Monday.

Get the Story:
Locked file cabinet keeps feds from examining tribe's books (The San Diego Union-Tribune 4/14)

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BIA launches emergency probe of tribe's finances (4/12)