N.D. Nonprofit Spent U.S. Disaster-Planning Funds on Meals, Phones

Nearly a quarter of the federal money the North Dakota EMS Association received for disaster planning was spent on “unallowable or questionable” items, including alcohol, a state emergency-preparedness official told the Associated Press.

The organization, which represents ambulance and emergency workers, received $810,000 in federal funds from 2004 to 2008 to produce plans on dealing with bioterrorism and other mass disasters. According to an internal audit and other records, nearly $200,000 was spent on lobbying, cell phones, meals with drinks, and other questionable items.

Association President Mark Weber said the group would repay the money.