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Lower Brule Sioux Leader Asks Feds To Freeze Funds To Tribe

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A Lower Brule Sioux tribal official acting as chairman says he has asked the Department of the Interior to freeze transfers of federal funds to the tribe and investigate previous allegations of misdirected federal money.

Acting Chairman Kevin Wright said Friday he had sent a letter this week making the request to Kevin Washburn, assistant secretary of Indian Affairs at the Interior Department.

Wright cited the tribe’s constitution and bylaws when he took over leadership of the tribe earlier this month, shortly before longtime former Chairman Michael Jandreau’s died of heart trouble.

Wright criticized Jandreau over reports of financial mismanagement, which Jandreau denied, that were outlined by Human Rights Watch in January.

Wright says he wants good governance and financial transparency. An Interior spokeswoman wasn’t immediately available for comment.