Courtesy of the Navajo Nation
After identifying concerns and irregularities within a Navajo Nation COVID-19 testing contract, the tribal government has named a new overseer for its financial activities.
President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer named Elizabeth Begay acting-controller after the Navajo Nation Council removed former controller, Pearline Kirk, from her position. Attorney General Doreen McPaul said the company the Navajo Nation Office of the Controller s paid Agile Technologies $3 million of CARES Act funds in advance for a method of COVID testing not approved within the Navajo Nation.
“With the American Rescue Plan Act Funds coming, we need to make sure we perform our due diligence in ensuring the people’s money is spent in an ethical manner from the top to the bottom,” Speaker of the Council Seth Damon said in a press release. “It is unfortunate that we have to make these hard decisions, but the people’s safety is our number one priority.”