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Another ethics complaint filed against Navajo Nation President Nygren. He calls it a ‘distraction’

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President in Window Rock.
Gabriel Pietrorazio/KJZZ
The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President in Window Rock.

Citing a lack of jurisdiction, a tribal court in Window Rock threw out an ethics complaint against Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren back in December. But earlier this week, another one was filed on Monday.

The amended 20-page complaint accuses Nygren of violating the tribe’s ethics and government laws on six occasions. But the Navajo president disputes these claims penned by Special Prosecutor Kyle Nayback, who is based in Albuquerque.

Nygren calls this second ethics complaint a “distraction” from his administration’s work, while reiterating that such allegations are “not findings or conclusions.” He also insists some accusations levied in the latest filing have been already refuted — even by Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley.

The Special Division of the Window Rock District Court dismissed Nayback’s original ethics complaint last year. When asked, Nayback would not comment on whether his findings could be applied in another legal venue, like a U.S. district court.

Patrick Sandoval stepped down in March for medical reasons but shares he’s since been served at his Flagstaff home — first learning about it through a “prejudicial news release” from the Navajo Nation Council on social media over the weekend.
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Gabriel Pietrorazio is a correspondent who reports on tribal natural resources for KJZZ.