"The governors of New Mexico's 19 pueblos have taken steps aimed at cleaning up the mess that is the Indian Pueblos Federal Development Corp.

The housecleaning follows published reports that the corporation and its private partners in the development of the old Albuquerque Indian school property received millions of dollars in questionable payments.

The corporation's board of directors — which is made up of governors or their representatives — has appointed a new executive committee to oversee the corporation's management.

Also, the board has appointed new officers for the corporation, giving the boot to longtime President Bruce Sanchez, governor of Santa Ana Pueblo.

The pueblo corporation teamed with private developers to construct two buildings in the mid-2000s for lease to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

I reported in January how construction loan money was used to pay more than $20 million to the corporation and its partners. I also reported that despite the money it pocketed and the continuing BIA lease payments, the corporation was essentially broke.

With concern among governors about the financial affairs of the corporation, the board named the new executive committee and officers in a series of meetings over the past few months.

"We just wanted new direction, new leadership," said Perry Martinez, governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo. "We wanted to make a change and get some clarification as to where the corporation stands.""

Get the Story:
Thomas J. Cole: Housecleaning at Indian Development (The Albuquerque Journal 7/14)