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National
Mesa Grande chair ousted amid probe of finances


The chairwoman of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians in California was removed from office amid a federal probe into the tribe's finances.

Chairwoman Charlene Siford was ousted on Sunday, just days after the Bureau of Indian Affairs sent a team to investigate allegations of theft and misuse of tribal funds. Silford apparently disagreed with the tribal council members who requested the probe, The North County Times reported.

In addition to the BIA, the FBI and the Inspector General at the Interior Department are involved. The local BIA superintendent said about $30,000 may have been stolen or misused.

Get the Story:
Mesa Grande removes tribal chairwoman (The North County Times 4/19)

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