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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A long-running saga stemming from allegations that Navajo tribal officials schemed to give money to family members is drawing to a close.
Two legal cases remain after nearly 80 current and former tribal lawmakers initially were accused of illegally drawing money from a fund meant for Navajos facing extreme financial hardship.
Prosecutors say requests from tribal officials ranged from college tuition for a toddler to what turned out to be fake medical expenses. Money even went to a fictitious child.
Navajo lawmakers had access to more than $30 million.
Prosecutors ended up filing criminal charges against 18 officials and brought ethics complaints against another 12. In most cases, defendants pleaded guilty or no contest, or admitted ethics violations.
The tribe's Supreme Court put a halt to the spending in 2011.
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