Fed response to audit queries ripped

U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack slammed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ response to questions regarding potential mismanagement of taxpayer funds at a local tribal welfare program.

The agency’s explanation for how it reacted to years of persistent audit and other management problems identified in the Torres-Martinez Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program is “insufficient,” the Palm Springs Republican said Monday.

The response by Health and Human Services to the tribal program’s issues “is letting our community and the American taxpayers down and is empowering the very problems that are plaguing the system,” Bono Mack said.

The federal agency provides funds to tribal welfare programs through its Administration for Children and Families.

A Desert Sun investigation in January found evidence of years of mismanagement, waste and missing financial accountability in the Torres-Martinez program’s use of taxpayer funds, including the administration’s finding that the tribe misused more than $1.5 million in taxpayer funds in fiscal years 2002 and 2003.

“I am outraged at this abuse of taxpayer dollars that has been allowed to go on for far too long,” Bono Mack said.

“It is clear that the tribe and HHS have failed to work together to ensure transparency in the use of federal dollars, and despite repeated problems and warnings, unexplained spending remains,” she said.

Bono Mack particularly questioned the federal agency’s agreement to allow the Torres-Martinez to pay nearly $1.6million in penalties through a reduction in the tribal welfare program’s annual federal grant. The penalty was for misuse of taxpayer funds.

“(The agency) will allow the tribe’s past penalties for abuse of the system to be forgiven simply by giving the program less taxpayer dollars this year,” Bono Mack said. “How can this be an acceptable solution, when those who did wrong don’t have to pay while families with legitimate needs could see important services decreased?”

…Read remainder of article at MyDesert.com