A.D. Ellis, the chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma, recently fired the top two executives at the tribe's economic development enterprise and dismissed four board members.

Ellis took action in April after he said an audit revealed excessive spending at the Muscogee Nation Trade and Commerce Authority. At least $800,000 "seemed speculative to us at best" auditor Glenn Eddleman said at a tribal court hearing, The Tulsa World reported.

CEO Michael Wisner and Chief Operating Officer Michael Gerard were then fired. Four board members were also dismissed.

The tribe's attorney general fought the dismissal of the board members. He said Ellis acted without authority.

"I don't dispute that what was going on over at Trade and Commerce needed to be changed, but it needed to be changed within the framework of the law," Attorney General Roger Wiley said at the hearing, the paper reported.

Creek Nation District Judge Patrick Moore upheld the dismissal of the members.

Get the Story:
Creek chief granted injunction against fired officials (The Tulsa World 6/8)

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