Review of Anti-Deficiency Act Violations of the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission

GAO was asked to review whether the Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation Commission had violated the Antideficiency Act, and to determine the extent and scope of the services that the Department of the Interior was obligated to provide to the Commission without reimbursement.

Interior accounting records showed that the Commission violated the Antideficiency Act during 6 of the 12 months in fiscal 1978. None of the violations were reported to the President and the Congress. One violation occurred after an Interior official decided not to provide further financial assistance to the Commission based on his interpretation of the relevant legislation. GAO found that Interior was reluctant to provide administrative and housekeeping services on a nonreimbursable basis. Also, Commission officials experienced problems with the financial services provided by Interior. Financial reports were usually late and incomplete making it difficult for the Commission to manage its funds effectively. The Commission experienced delays in Interior's paying for space obtained for it in a commercial building. Legislation was pending that would authorize the Commission to provide for its own administrative and housekeeping services and provide for independent legal counsel. Passage would eliminate the need for Interior to consider the extent of its obligation to provide services on a nonreimbursable basis.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: No director on record Team: No team on record Phone: No phone on record