Summary: The audit of the American Indian Policy Review Commission disclosed that the Commission's management and operations were generally conducted orderly and professionally, although in some cases inappropriate contracting procedures were followed and some questionable disbursements were made.
In accordance with existing legislation, the Commission approved a six-member Commission staff and established 11 task forces to gather facts and other necessary information for the comprehensive investigation and study of Indian affairs. At its business meetings, the Commission acted on policy matters and reviewed the scope, plan of operations, and progress of the various investigative task forces. Each of the task forces submitted the required quarterly reports and final reports and recommendations to the Commission in a reasonably timely manner. The Commission prepared a tentative final report and a final report to the Congress in a timely manner. The Commission developed a budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting system to control its financial operations. Budgets were developed for each task force and the Commission staff. In three cases the Commission did not obtain the required approval for contracts or modification before proceeding with work. Questionable disbursements by the Commission involved double payments for air travel, payments for consultants' services, and travel expenses not required for official purposes.
