Haskell says federal investigation of nepotism is ongoing

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Haskell Indian Nations University is now saying a federal investigation into alleged nepotism at the school is not completed.

On Tuesday, Haskell administrators said the federal Office of Inspector General concluded the complaint was unsubstantiated and closed its investigation. But Thursday, Haskell issued a statement saying the earlier announcement was incorrect.

The complaint accused of Haskell President Venida Chenault of nepotism for supervising her son, Joshua Arce, while he was acting dean of students for eight months.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports the university says an internal investigation by the Bureau of Indian Education’s Human Resources Officer found no evidence of wrongdoing by Chenault. However, the Inspector General’s investigation is ongoing.

The university said it incorrectly assumed the resources officer’s investigation was being done cooperatively with the Inspector General’s office.

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Information from: Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com