Federal investigators are looking for evidence that a New Mexico search-and-rescue team falsified training certifications to qualify for funding. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials filed a search warrant request this week in U.S. District Court.
The warrant allows officials to search a laptop computer to see if it was used to print out false training certificates.
New Mexico Task Force 1 team, which deploys to disaster scenes, is accused of failing to properly account for funding.
FEMA ruled earlier this month that the team will no longer have status as one of the 28 elite urban search and rescue teams in the country.
The task force will no longer receive millions of dollars for specialized training and equipment.
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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com
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