Post 4

Mille Lacs Band fraud claims multiply
Star Tribune- Twin Cities + West
November 2, 2008

The Chief Executive, Melanie Benjamin, of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has been accused of using tribal funds for herself. The tribe had set aside money for school construction and was surprised to find that $1600 of it was spent on a french replica toilet and $800 on a waterfall faucet. Both fixtures had been installed in Melanie Benjamin's home. She denies that she did anything wrong saying that the money was from a $35000 home improvement loan from the Community Development Department. She has also been accused of taking more than $50000 in illegal casino comping privileges like concert tickets and dinners. The casino had issued her a Diamond Club Card which is meant for people with a "very high level of play". Melanie should have only recieved $600 in services.

I think its horrible that Melanie would ever so something like this. The funds she used for all of her spending were meant to be for schools and homeless shelters. I think that she should be arrested and put in jail but instead shes planning to run in the special election that will be held to replace her because the Chippewa Tribe's constitution that the tribe follows allows her to do so.