Law | Politics

BIA and FBI meeting with police chief for Sauk-Suiattle Tribe

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The police chief for the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe of Washington is set to meet with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation today.

Chief Steven O’Leary wants an investigation into the firings of 11 employees. Only non-Indians were let go, according to news reports.

"A tribal member just got out a council meeting and said you've just been fired because you're white," former employee Judy Pendergrass told KLTV.

The BIA is also reportedly investigating whether the tribe has misused funds. "The services continue to get cut back, yet, the funding by everything that we see...continues to increase, even through these slow economic times" John Pugh, a former council member, told KING 5 News.

Chairwoman Janice Mabee did not support the terminations of the 11 employees but she was outvoted. She has shut down the tribal offices.

Get the Story:
Possible civil rights investigation (KAPS 6/21)
Sauk Suiattle Tribe investigated for mismanagement of federal funds (KING 5 News 6/20)
Indian tribe accused of discrimination (KLTV-TV 6/20)
Sauk-Suiattle tribe accused of 'reverse discrimination' (KING 5 News 6/17)