Trump Interior official helped clear way for payments to ex-employer
Source: Politico
A high-ranking Interior Department official is under fire over her role in securing access to billions of dollars in coronavirus aid for a handful of wealthy Alaska corporations, including one that previously employed her as a lobbyist and top executive.
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney is among a small group of Interior officials advising the Treasury Department on how to distribute $8 billion in rescue funding Congress earmarked for Native American tribes an allocation that some lawmakers now say they intended solely for the 574 federally recognized tribes hit hard by the economic shutdown.
But the Trump administration indicated this week that it also plans to include more than 200 for-profit Alaska Native corporations among the eligible recipients based on a strict reading of language Congress included in its $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package including corporations that rank among the largest businesses in the state. Thats outraged many tribal leaders who say the decision could divert nearly half the funding away from tribes and into the coffers of the corporations.
Sweeneys role has since come under intense scrutiny, with Democrats and several tribal organizations seizing on the financial interest she retains as a shareholder of her former employer, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, according to financial disclosure forms.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/amp/news/2020/04/16/trump-indian-affiars-funds-191622
bucolic_frolic
(43,290 posts)No wonder Trump didn't want oversight.
riversedge
(70,304 posts)captain queeg
(10,242 posts)And he does a thorough house cleaning. Sort of a reverse trump where he got rid of everyone appointed by Obama. And we dont let these criminals walk. There needs to be repercussions and criminal charges
cstanleytech
(26,319 posts)keithbvadu2
(36,912 posts)Luckee them. eh?
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)Actually, given she's a woman, he just might do something.
notdarkyet
(2,226 posts)SunSeeker
(51,703 posts)riversedge
(70,304 posts)Chuck Schumer
@SenSchumer
Pres. Trumps @ASIndianAffairs
Tara Sweeney is diverting funds for tribal governments during coronavirus to for-profit Alaska Native Corporations.
We can't put these corporations before tribal governments & people.
Sweeney used to be an exec for an ANC, and she wants to profit!
Link to tweet
?s=20
Sweeneys role has since come under intense scrutiny, with Democrats and several tribal organizations seizing on the financial interest she retains as a shareholder of her former employer, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, according to financial disclosure forms.
Tara Sweeney is diverting funds for tribal governments during coronavirus to for-profit Alaska Native Corporations, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted on Thursday. Sweeney used to be an exec for an ANC, and she wants to profit!
At least one tribal organization this week called for her resignation over the issue, telling Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt that she has lost the confidence of Indian tribes.
Sweeney must be removed because she cannot be trusted to advise Treasury on Alaska Native Corporations, the Great Plains Tribal Chairmens Association, which represents 16 Midwestern tribes, wrote in a letter on Tuesday.............................
https://www.politico.com/amp/news/2020/04/16/trump-indian-affiars-funds-191622