Lawsuit seeks to oust Apache chairman from office

A lawsuit in federal court says Alonzo Chalepah, the chairman of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, should not be in office.

Chalepah has been arrested three times for alcohol-related offenses, according to the suit. He can't hold office because he is a convicted felon, political rival Louis Maynahonah says.

Maynahonah says he is the rightful leader of the tribe. But the Bureau of Indian Affairs apparently continues to recognize Chalepah.

Chalepah's attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing the lack of jurisdiction over the tribe's sovereign affairs.

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Citing power grab, Apache chairman battles lawsuit (The Oklahoman 2/28)
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