Suit alleges tribal leaders received kickbacks from lobbying firm

Wednesday, July 29, 2015  

A former employee of a lobbying firm is accusing prominent leaders in Indian Country of accepting kickbacks.

Nikishna Polequaptewa once worked for Blue Stone Strategies, whose mission calls for "protecting tribal sovereignty" and "building strong economies." He's alleging that the firm did that by "improperly" paying tribal and Indian leaders of hopes of landing more lobbying contracts.

Alleged recipients include Ernie Stevens, the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association; Brian Cladoosby, the president of the National Congress of American Indians; and Brian Patterson, the president of the United South and Eastern Tribes, according to a court filing reviewed by The Santa Fe New Mexican.

The paper's story does not include comments from those who were named by Polequaptewa, who is a member of the Hopi Tribe. He's being sued by Blue Stone in federal court in California for allegedly disclosing trade secrets and damaging company property.

The Orange County Weekly first reported on Polequaptewa's allegation of kickbacks on March 30. But that story did not include any names.

Polequaptewa filed a counterclaim in which he said he raised concerns about the alleged kickbacks.

Get the Story:
Lawsuit against firm names state auditor in alleged kickback scheme (AP / The Santa Fe New Mexican 7/28)
Lawsuit against firm names state auditor in alleged kickback scheme (AP / The Santa Fe New Mexican 7/27)
Devastating Document Exposes Keller Training "Pitch Men" to grub for Indian Tribe Business (New Mexico Political Journal 7/28)
Keller accused in California case (The Albuquerque Journal 7/27)