National
Embattled Coushatta chairman asks BIA police for help


The chairman of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, whom tribal members allege resigned earlier this month, is asking the Bureau of Indian Affairs for help.

Lovelin Poncho says "dissident" tribal members have taken over the tribe's offices. He says tribal police are refusing to obey a tribal court order to eject the group and wants BIA police to come in.

Poncho and council member William Worfel are being criticized by tribal members and other leaders for their spending habits. They reportedly spent at least $18 million on lobbyists and lawyers.

Get the Story:
Tribal leader requests help from federal police (AP 2/22)

Relevant Links:
Coushatta Tribe - http://www.coushattatribela.org

Related Stories:
Coushatta Tribe locks out chairman who resigned (02/10)
Chairman of Coushatta Tribe disputes own resignation (2/9)
Coushatta Tribe spent $18M on lobbyists, lawyers (10/06)