(KNZA)--Kickapoo Tribal Council Secretary Tonya Negonsott-Rodvelt resigned from the Tribal Council January 1 amid allegations of misuse of federal grant money while serving on the Tribe's Housing Board.

According to a release issued Tuesday by the Kickapoo Tribe, federal authorities continue to investigate whether fraudulent documents were submitted to the Housing Board requesting housing assistance and based on that information, whether funds were wrongfully expended.

The release says Negonsott-Rodvelt was suspended by the Kickapoo Housing Board after questionable documentation was discovered and subsequently suspended from her position on the Tribal Council. She has since been removed by the Housing Board and the Tribal Council has formally accepted her resignation from the Tribal Council.

The release says the Tribal Council has approved a special election to be conducted to replace Negonsott-Rodvelt on the Tribal Council for a term expiring in September, 2022.