Leaders of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona removed Treasurer Russell Mockta from his post, nearly a year after he was first suspended.

After a hearing that lasted 17 hours, the council found Mockta guilty of serious neglect of duty, The Navajo Hopi-Observer reported. The verdict said Mockta failed to invest tribal funds properly.

One financial expert spent seven hours on the stand, the paper said. Investment adviser James Roy said the tribe never lost any money due to Mockta's actions.

But an accountant hired by the tribe said his investigation turned up evidence that Roy violated tribal financial policy.

Get the Story:
Hopi Tribal Treasurer removed from office (The Navajo Hopi-Observer 4/26)