Ken St. Marks. Photo from Native News Project / University of Montana
The Chippewa Cree Tribe of Montana won't reinstate ousted Chairman Ken St. Marks despite an order from the Interior Department, The Great Falls Tribune reports. DOI granted whistleblower status to St. Marks under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A final disposition found that he was the victim of retaliation and ordered the tribe to pay $648,430.35 and to reinstate him. The tribe's law firm, however, says that won't be happening. Rival leaders claim St. Marks has violated tribal law but he has not been charged in any court for any crimes. The same can't be said for other leaders on the Rocky Boy's Reservation. At least 18 former officials, employees and their associates have been convicted or have pleaded guilty in connection with a wide-ranging federal corruption probe. The tribe has until June 23 to respond to the DOI order. The tribe could take the matter to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Tribune reported. The Guardians Project at the U.S. Attorney's Office has put Montana at the top a nationwide list of judicial districts with the most government corruption prosecutions. Get the Story:
Tribe responds to 'whistle-blower' reprisal charges (The Great Falls Tribune 5/4)
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