Voters of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Michigan elected a new leader last week but disputes between chairman Bernard Bouschor and incoming chairman Aaron Payment continue.

Immediately after losing the heated election, Bouschor fired seven top aides and then awarded them a total of $2.6 million dollars in severance pay under their existing contracts. Payment claimed the action was illegal and obtained a temporary restraining order restricting Bouschor's check-signing powers under a 2001 tribal council resolution.

A tribal judge was set to hear the case on Wednesday but recused herself because she has a similar contract. Bouschor wants the restraining order dissolved. He says the resolution does not apply to employee matters.

Get the Story:
Bouschor files to dissolve temporary restraining order (The Soo Evening News 7/1)
Todd Gravelle wins seat in Tribal Board recount (The Soo Evening News 7/1)
Tribal judge hands off Payment severance case (The Soo Evening News 7/1)
Tribal judge to review $2.6 million in severance payouts (The Soo Evening News 7/1)

Relevant Links:
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe - http://www.sootribe.org

Related Stories:
Michigan paper blasted for endorsing tribal chair (06/11)
Sault Tribe chairman blamed for 'gay' mailing (06/08)