LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nine people with ties to the Omaha Tribal Council are accused of using federal money to pay themselves bonuses.

The U.S. Attorney’s office announced Thursday that eight of those charged are current or former council members and one is a tribal employee.

According to an indictment, the defendants paid themselves nearly $389,000 from contract funds with the Indian Health Service that were supposed to be used to provide health care for members of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.

Authorities say the bonuses were paid for work council officials they did on a contract dispute with the Indian Health Service.

Omaha Tribal Chairman Vernon Miller, who was not on the council when the bonuses were paid, says the tribe is cooperating with federal authorities. Other tribal officials did not return calls.