Ernie Stevens, the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, speaks at the Save Oak Flat rally at the U.S. Capitol on July 22, 2015. Photo by Indianz.Com

A former employee of a lobbying firm is accusing prominent leaders in Indian Country of accepting kickbacks.

Nikishna Polequaptewa once worked for Blue Stone Strategies, whose mission calls for "protecting tribal sovereignty" and "building strong economies." He's alleging that the firm did that by "improperly" paying tribal and Indian leaders of hopes of landing more lobbying contracts.

Alleged recipients include Ernie Stevens, the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association; Brian Cladoosby, the president of the National Congress of American Indians; and Brian Patterson, the president of the United South and Eastern Tribes, according to a court filing reviewed by The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The paper's story does not include comments from those who were named by Polequaptewa, who is a member of the Hopi Tribe. He's being sued by Blue Stone in federal court in California for allegedly disclosing trade secrets and damaging company property.

Brian Patterson, the president of the United South and Eastern Tribes, is seen second from right with leaders and members of the San Carlos Apache Tribe at the Save Oak Flat rally on July 22, 2015. Photo by Indianz.Com

The Orange County Weekly first reported on Polequaptewa's allegation of kickbacks on March 30. But that story did not include any names.

Polequaptewa filed a counterclaim in which he said he raised concerns about the alleged kickbacks.

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