The flag of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Image from Wikipedia

Current and former leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit that challenges pay raises for the tribal council.

A group called EBCI for Justice and Accountability asked the council to rescind the $10,600 raises, which were made retroactive to 2010.. When that didn't happen, a lawsuit was filed in tribal court that named several present and former Cherokee leaders in their individual capacities.

The defendants are now seeking to have the case dismissed, The Smoky Mountain News reports. Among other arguments, they say the group lacks standing and that some of the former council members who received pay raises weren't in office at the time and didn't vote on them.

In related news, the tribal council voted to establish its own support office, independent of the executive branch, the paper reported.

Get the Story:
Motion to dismiss filed in lawsuit contesting Cherokee council raises (The Smoky Mountain News 1/14)
Tribal council votes to create legislative office separate from executive oversight (The Smoky Mountain News 1/14)

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