The Bureau of Indian Affairs will resume its investigation of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians next week in hopes of finding out whether tribal money was misused.

The BIA attempted to audit the tribe's books this week but was blocked because the file cabinet containing the records was locked. The only employee with a key to the cabinet was gone.

The audit was requested by tribal leaders who suspected theft. The tribe receives about $150,000 to $160,000 in funds from the BIA every year.

Get the Story:
Tribe faces loss of federal funding (The North County Times 4/15)

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