April 7, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma receives preliminary inquiries by the U.S. Treasury Office of Inspector General on the Coronavirus Relief Fund
CARNEGIE, Okla. – The Executive Branch of the Kiowa Tribe was recently contacted by the US Treasury Office of Inspector General regarding the payments the Tribe made with the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). In the preliminary documentation request by the Office of Inspector General, the Tribe has until April 23rd to respond to and/or provide documentation to support the various expenditures it has made with the CRF, or to refute any allegations that have been brought forth.
The Department of the Treasury Office of Inspector General is responsible for monitoring and oversight of the receipt, disbursement, and use of Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) payments as authorized by Title VI of the Social Security Act, as amended by Title V of Division A of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Treasury OIG was also assigned authority to recoup funds in the event that it is determined a recipient of a CRF payment failed to comply with requirements of subsection 601(d) of the Social Security Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 801(d)).
One specific area being targeted by the OIG are the direct payments the Tribe made to its tribal members as a per capita payment which is prohibited by the treasury department guidelines.
OIG is questioning whether an assessment of individual need was performed prior to the issuance of payments to tribal members. The OIG is requesting a detailed explanation and supporting documentation to confirm how the assessment of need was performed and the results of that assessment. An assessment provides the proof needed for payments to individual tribal members.
Besides the direct payments, a total of 14 questionable items have been conveyed to the Tribe by the Treasury OIG.
The Executive Branch will work cooperatively with the Treasury OIG to respond to the agency’s preliminary inquiries. Any tribal members wanting more specific details not contained in this release are urged to contact Kiowa Tribe Public Relations. A copy of the OIG preliminary communication will be provided upon request.