Tex Hall, the chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota, is cooperating with authorities who are investigating a former employee who allegedly tried to hire someone to kill the prominent tribal leader.

In a statement, Hall said he's been working with tribal, state and federal authorities "for several months." He kept silent until now in order to protect his safety and his family.

"The bottom line is that I have been cooperating to the fullest extent of my abilities with investigators to make sure that justice is swiftly and fully served in this case and that the victims’ families see the justice they deserve," Hall said today.

Hall owns Maheshu Energy, a company that provides oilfield services on the Fort Berthold Reservation. One of his employees, James Henrikson, allegedly asked a fellow employee whether he knew someone who could kill Hall.

Henrikson has since been linked to a murder of a man who also did business on the reservation. The victim, Doug Carlile, was killed last month at his home in Spokane, Washington.

Authorities in Washington have charged Timothy Suckow -- an associate of Henrikson's -- with first-degree murder. Henrikson has not been charged but he remains under suspicion for the crime. Meanwhile, he's been charged in North Dakota for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hall's entire statement follows:

In light of the recent irresponsible and unfounded allegations made in the press regarding any involvement I may have had related to James Henrikson or the Henrikson investigation, I want to set the record straight. First, protecting the privacy and ensuring the safety of my family is my highest priority. Second, I have been fully and actively cooperating for several months with law enforcement professionals at the tribal, state, and federal levels. Third, obviously I have zero connection or affiliation with any gangs. In fact, one of the priorities of my Administration has been to rid the Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation of gang activity. Unfortunately, reckless journalism has led to the publication of entirely baseless and, frankly, ridiculous, allegations that I have some kind of involvement with gangs. While I am not personally afraid of any allegations made about me, I do believe that they cross the line when they jeopardize the safety and well-being of my family. And reprinting baseless allegations also, unfortunately, has the effect of jeopardizing and hindering the Henrikson investigation. The bottom line is that I have been cooperating to the fullest extent of my abilities with investigators to make sure that justice is swiftly and fully served in this case and that the victims’ families see the justice they deserve. I have fought my entire career to keep our tribal Nation families safe, whether here at home, Watford City, or even Spokane and I will continue to fight for this as long as I can. I urge everyone to allow this investigation to move forward to its conclusion and to respect the privacy of all of our families.

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