Our View: Answers needed in Rocky Boy scandal

A badly needed water system that would have brought potable water to all parts of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation has been put on hold.

It appears the the books for the project are in a shambles, there are allegations of conflicts of interest and charges that substantial amounts of money are missing.

So the federal government has put the project on ice.

In an all-too-familiar response, tribal officials and those involved in the mess say they are not authorized to respond and refer questions to people who say they, too, are not authorized to speak.

The reservation has been in chaos for months now. The tribal council ousted chairman Kenneth Blatt St. Marks — St. Marks says because he was talking to federal prosecutors about the goings on.

The whole mess is terribly sad. After years of lobbying, the federal money was allocated for the project which will provide safe water for drinking and agriculture in all parts of the vast reservation.

Rocky Boy doesn't have a lot of political power, and tribal leaders worked hard for many years to get funds for the vital project.

So often, Indian reservations are out on the back burner when it comes federal funds, and it was heartening to see this important project approved. Now, it appears, it is jeopardized.

Action needs to be taken immediately.

The Bureau of Reclamation should, with dispatch, continue its investigation into the what happened.

People responsible should be removed from their offices, and the financial records should be put in order.

And federal officials should realize that the residents of Rocky Boy who would benefit from the water project are not responsible for the people who pose as their leaders. Money should flow to Rocky Boy so this important project can be completed.

U.S. Attorney for Montana Michael Cotter, in a letter to St. Marks, confirmed that his office is investigating financial improprieties at the reservation. He thanked St. Marks for working with federal officials.

It's not clear if the water project is among the problems Cotter is reviewing.

But we hope Cotter puts moves forward quickly.

It is important that the truth come out in this case as fast as possible.

The taxpayers who funded this project need answers.

And the people of Rocky Boy, who always seem to come out on the short end of the stick, need answers.