OTTAWA - The federal government has called in the RCMP and ordered a forensic audit of the Kanesatake Mohawk Police Service after allegations of mismanagement of funds.
Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day says the audit will proceed as soon as possible after auditors initially reviewed management of financial activities in Kanesatake between April 2003 and March 2005, as well as expenses incurred by Mohawk police.
In a statement released today, the government says it decided on a forensic audit after discussions between several departments and the Office of Auditor General Sheila Fraser and a request for proposal was sent to Public Works on Jan. 24 to select a third party to manage the audit.
A spokeswoman in Day's office says RCMP were asked to look into the matter last November and have not yet decided whether a full investigation is warranted.
In 2005, Quebec provincial police assigned a handful of aboriginal officers from within its ranks to help patrol the troubled Mohawk community near Montreal after it erupted into a tense standoff over policing.
The dispute turned ugly in January 2005 when Grand Chief James Gabriel's house was burned to the ground.
Last June, two former police officers from Magog, Que., were among 36 people arrested as part of a drug ring allegedly run by a 48-year-old woman from Kanesatake.
