MCK releases Housing Department Assessment Report

09/26/2018

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that a Housing Assessment Summary Report was presented to the local media at a press conference held today. It is now available for viewing at Kahnawake.com.

The report was presented to Chief & Council at this past Monday’s Council Meeting. Certain conclusions can be drawn from the information gathered and analyzed to date. First, an alleged fraud in the amount of $145,000 can be confirmed. Missing payments were predominantly associated with clients who were directed to the Social Housing Administrator. Additionally, it was concluded that the Housing Department was lacking proper updated policies, procedures and reporting, leading to a lack of effective management for nearly a decade, from 2008 to 2018. It has been determined that the Housing Department needs to be restructured, with a focus on client needs.

 “The most important aspect of the Assessment was to contact all of the housing clients to understand their experiences and to reconcile the accounts,” stated Paul Rice, the MCK’s Executive Financial Officer under whose authority and oversight the Assessment was conducted. “A complete reconciliation of accounts is ongoing as clients continue to be contacted. Clients who are victims of fraud will not be held responsible for payments.”

The Assessment began in June 2018 after the Housing Department became aware of the possibility of fraudulent activity taking place within the Department. The Assessment was a combined effort of various internal and external individuals, including an independent forensic accountant. An independent lawyer was also hired to meet and interview clients who suspected they were victims of misappropriated funds. Finally, an independent financial accountant was contracted to revamp financial controls, beginning with accounts receivable and cash payments.

In addition, the Finance department will assume an independent authority within the organizational structure to implement broad financial controls and safeguards across all community funds.

“Implementing this change in financial authority is the way to begin the task of rebuilding community trust,” concluded Mr. Rice. “We understand the community never wants to see this happen again.”