City of Gallup officials will be joined by representatives of the Navajo Nation to hold a joint press conference May 17 at 9 am in the council chambers of City Hall, 110 W. Aztec Ave. The press conference will address how city, Navajo Nation officials and law enforcement are collaborating to address ongoing reports of Native Americans being targeted and transported to Arizona for rehab services as part of an alleged health care fraud scheme.
The Gallup Police Department has been working closely with regional law enforcement agencies, including the Navajo Nation Police Department, McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police and federal authorities, to investigate reports that people are being taken to Arizona with the promise of substance abuse treatment or receiving other resources.
“The City of Gallup is united with its regional partners, including the Navajo Nation, to investigate and address these serious allegations,” Mayor Louie Bonaguidi said in a press release published May 16. “We want people to know there are resources in our community to help and that they should be suspicious of anyone promising out-of-state resources.”
During the press conference, officials will provide an update on the coordinated response to the ongoing issue.
The press conference will be streamed on the city’s Facebook page, facebook.com/CityOfGallup.
