A recall effort against leaders of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan who opposed disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff was thrown out on Thursday.

The tribal council said recall petitions bearing the signatures of more than 1,000 tribal members were not valid. Subchief Bernie Sprague, one of the five leaders targeted, said there were dozens of discrepancies on the petitions.

Tribal members sought to oust Chief Audrey Falcon, Sprague, Treasurer Charmaine Benz, Secretary Ruth Moses and Sergeant-at-Arms Brent Jackson. The petitions blame the leaders for "misconduct and dishonesty" in dealing with Abramoff.

Falcon has said the tribe was fleeced out of at least $14 million by Abramoff and Sprague testified before the Senate that the tribe was duped by Abramoff.

Get the Story:
Another recall quashed (The Morning Sun 4/29)

Relevant Links:
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe - http://www.sagchip.org
Saginaw Chippewa Voices - http://www.scitmembervoices.com

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