PEMBROKE, N.C. (AP) – Members of the Lumbee Tribal Council are questioning the tribe chairman about the purchase of land near a Lumberton golf course.
The tribe uses federal money to buy houses for its members, The Fayetteville Observer reported. .
Council members say they did not authorize the purchase by Chairman Paul Brooks and don’t know about the plans for the land.
The council ordered Brooks to hand over the check registry, but he has refused to do so.
Tax and deed records show the Lumbee Land Development Inc. bought the lot for $36,000. Brooks is listed as the registered agent for Lumbee Land Development.
Council members say they think the land is too expensive for most tribe members. More than 1,000 people are on a waiting list for housing. A typical land purchase for a home built by the tribe is about $10,000.
Brooks previously has said he has the authority to make purchases for the tribe using the money that’s set aside for housing. Council members say they are supposed to authorize any purchase over $5,000.
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Information from: The Fayetteville Observer, http://www.fayobserver.com