A preliminary investigation into allegations by the Navajo Nation vice president against Navajo President Buu Nygren has concluded.
The eight-month investigation into sexual harassment claims made by Vice President Richelle Montoya are not warranted.
The short report shared by the Navajo attorney general said that Montoya’s claims of an incident in August of last year doesn’t constitute sexual harassment under the tribal policy manual for elected officials and employees.
Nygren said Monday morning that the tribe needs to move forward as a Nation. He said Montoya’s claims divided and hurt the Navajo Nation.
“Sadly, this has been nothing but a disgraceful power grab from the get-go by the vice president and her supporters,” he said in a statement. “Her false accusations and blatant lies all along have been an attempt to remove me as president. She continues to attend chapter meetings and agency council meetings sharing malicious lies with our people and continues to work closely with the ‘Recall President Nygren’ committee to attack, discredit and disparage me and my staff. Her actions have not only divided our Navajo Nation, but they hinder and undermine all the great work the administration has done and is doing.”
Attorney General Ethel Branch then announced she fired the Tempe law firm hired to investigate the case saying it had delayed sending her the results of the investigation.
