Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

National
Passamaquoddy leader said to be under investigation


Investigators from at least four federal agencies have been looking into the activities of Passamaquoddy Gov. Robert Newell, The Bangor Daily News reports.

Agents from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Interior were on the Indian Township reservation last week. They interviewed tribal members, asked to view documents and subpoenaed the tribe's financial adviser, the paper said.

A grand jury is being called September 6 -- the same day as the tribal elections -- to look at the evidence. But Newell says he is not under investigation and that the federal agents have been looking at information that predates his term in office.

Two tribal sources told the paper that Newell's use of federal funds has been questioned. "They are reviewing the policies of past administrations to establish the abnormal manner of procurement and distribution of this current administration," one said.

Separately, five employees fired by Newell have filed suit against the tribe. They say they were terminated for political reasons.

Get the Story:
Passamaquoddy governor under fire (The Bangor Daily News 8/26)
Tribal employees' dismissal prompts lawsuit (The Bangor Daily News 8/26)

Relevant Links:
Pasamaquoddy Tribe, Pleasant Point Reservation - http://www.wabanaki.com
Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township - http://www.passamaquoddy.com
Save Passamaquoddy Bay - http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org

Related Stories:
Maine's highest court upholds tribal sovereignty (05/09)
Fund for late Passamaquoddy leader moves forward (05/08)
Newspapers want minutes of tribal council meetings (04/14)
Ex-Leader: Passamaquoddy Tribe almost bankrupt (03/21)
Passamaquoddy Tribe seeks former naval base (02/16)
Lawsuit challenges Passamaquoddy sovereignty (11/30)
BIA sued over Passamaquoddy natural gas deal (11/03)
BIA challenged on approval of natural gas terminal (07/12)
BIA approves Passamaquoddy Tribe's gas terminal deal (07/07)
BIA asked to waive appraisal for gas terminal site (06/01)
Passamaquoddy Tribe agrees to new gas terminal site (05/20)
Passamaquoddy Tribe to weigh new gas terminal site (5/13)
Passamaquoddy Tribe won't stop gas terminal talks (5/6)
Passamaquoddy Tribe asked to end 'lopsided' deal (04/20)
Town votes against tribe's natural gas terminal (03/29)
Passamaquoddy Tribe seeks support for gas terminal (03/08)
Passamaquoddy Tribe divided over gas terminal (02/23)
Editorial: Maine must repair relationship with tribes (12/03)
Group fights Maine tribe's natural gas terminal (12/01)
Editorial: Maine tribes need more attention (11/22)
Town wants say in tribe's natural gas terminal (10/26)
Passamquoddy Tribe asked to stop development (10/06)
Passamaquoddy woman fights natural gas terminal (09/09)
Passamaquoddy Tribe votes for natural gas terminal (08/18)
Passamaquoddy Tribe to vote on natural gas terminal (8/12)
Passamaquoddy Tribe puts gas terminal to vote (08/05)
Passamaquoddy members oppose gas terminal (07/21)
Natural gas terminal planned on Passamaquoddy land (06/09)
Forum examines legacy of tribal settlement acts (04/02)
Penobscot Nation chief addresses Maine Legislature (02/11)
EPA allows state jurisdiction over Maine tribal lands (12/3)
US sues to compensate Penobscot Nation (5/3)
Tribes ordered to release some documents (5/2)
Maine dispute heads back to court (2/12)
Go directly to jail, do not collect sovereignty... (2/7)
Tribal-environmental summit in Maine (1/24)
Maine leaders continue fight (12/4)
Leaders pledge support of Maine tribes (11/17)
Tribal leaders ordered arrested (11/10)
Water dispute heads to court (05/30)