Day two of hearings on the State Human Services Department’s 29 million dollars in overpayments to two Native American tribes, and Democratic Senator Chris Eaton asked, “Is there any investigation into fraud for employees or former employees of the tribes?” Legislative Auditor James Nobles responded he doesn’t have jurisdiction in the case of sovereign nations, the tribes didn’t respond to his request, but he did meet with federal officials who have the option of investigating. But Nobles added that he wants to be clear: “I do not know and am not saying that there is a federal fraud investigation relative to the tribes. All I’m telling you is that we don’t have that jurisdiction — federal authorities would.”
White Earth compliance officer Danielle Stevens told lawmakers, “There was cooperation and we were looking forward to the audit.”