A preliminary investigation cleared Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren of sexual harassment claims made by Vice President Richelle Montoya.
The Navajo attorney general at the time, Ethel Branch, announced that the probe found the claims didn’t stack up under tribal law. She fired the Tempe firm that conducted it ,and she herself was removed by the Navajo Nation Council within hours.
Nygren said he’s confident in the investigation’s results and relieved to receive them.
“It’s just one of those things that’s unnecessary,” said Nygren. “It's a distraction and it's used a lot of Navajo Nation resources and time.”
While Montoya didn’t initially name Nygren, he confirmed that allegations she made about experiencing sexual harassment in their shared office were about him earlier this year.
Montoya said that at first, she was afraid to come forward without solid proof like a recording. And when she did, she says outdated procedures and staff intimidation kept her from receiving support.
“I have no interest and no plans to ever run against President Nygren or anybody else on the Nation for president,” said Montoya. “I was elected to be vice president of the Navajo Nation. That’s the job I’m concentrating on.”
Montoya said she’s heavily disappointed at the outcome and lack of a full report.
“She also mentioned that the report would be given to the public after Navajo leadership was briefed,” said Montoya. “But she didn’t define who Navajo leadership is, so I don’t know if that includes me.”
Montoya said she still hasn’t heard back from the Attorney General’s Office, but is still vice president by law.
Ever since she signed a petition for his recall in October, Nygren has repeated the call for Montoya to step down.
“If she doesn't want to do that, it's just unfortunate that that position is going to be wasted because the Navajo people are still going to pay her salary,” he said.
Montoya denied Nygren’s claim that her allegations were ever part of a power grab at his position.
