Weekly Edition | Feb. 8, 2012 | By: NPStaff

“I think it sends a message out to other chapters that these type of activities, they won’t be tolerated on the Navajo Nation,” Harrison said.

Corruption

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Secretary and Treasurer of the Tuba City Chapter Charlene Nez entered an agreement Tuesday with the tribe’s Ethics and Rules Office to repay the $20,000 she received to the Tuba City Chapter.

Nez is the last five elected officials of Tuba City to resolved allegations that she received part of $80,000 in bonus money in violation of Tribal Ethics laws said the associated press.

“I made the decision, so I have to face the consequence, and that’s the consequence,” Nez said.

Nez said she was under the impression for months that it was OK to receive bonus money but at some point realized it was wrong and contacted the Ethics and Rules Office. Ethics charges were filed against the five in August.

Navajo Community members are outraged that she is still in her position as secretary and treasurer of the chapter or until the community picks new leaders. According to the policy of the Navajo Elections, Nez also cannot seek elected office for five years and until the money is paid back in full.

Tribal ethics and rules investigator Lewnell Harrison said the elected officials, who make up the Council of Naat’aanii, received the bonus money from late 2009 to 2011. The investigation into the chapter’s finances is ongoing, he said.

“I think it sends a message out to other chapters that these type of activities, they won’t be tolerated on the Navajo Nation,” Harrison said.

The AP reported that Cases against the other four officials are Helen Herbert, Jimmy Holgate, Robert Yazzie and Max Goldtooth – have been resolved.

Yazzie and Goldtooth were found in violation of ethics laws following a hearing, while Herbert signed a deal with the Ethics and Rules Office. The office was granted deferred judgment in Holgate’s case because he failed to show up for his hearing, Harrison said.

“I’m embarrassed,” he said. “I’m very embarrassed because this is a black eye for local governance on the Navajo Nation.” said Council Delegate Joshua Butler

Tuba City is one of the Navajo Nation’s largest communities, It is also among 30 of the reservation’s 110 chapters that have been granted increased authority over local finances.