Kayenta Township, Navajo Nation Settles Election Lawsuit Brought Against It by Harrison Tsosie

Window Rock, AZ, October 08, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The Navajo Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) in docket number OHA-EC-016-14 confirmed and ordered a settlement entered into between defendants: Kayenta Township et al, and that of plaintiff, Harrison Tsosie. Defendants were represented by Franklin Hoover, of Flagstaff, Arizona, and plaintiff Harrison Tsosie was represented by Barry Klopfer, of Gallup, New Mexico.

Mr. Tsosie, a candidate for council delegate, filed his election Complaint with the OHA on September 8, 2014 alleging defendants provided contributions of money and other things of value for the purpose of campaigning and/or influencing a Navajo election. Mr. Tsosie alleged this was in direct violation of established Navajo election law, 11 N.N.C. § 209, and that the township's actions deprived him of his political liberty rights to equality and equal protection pursuant to the laws of the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Bill of Rights, and that funding/campaigning for certain council delegates is impermissible.

The Kayenta Township settled with a stipulation to never “contribute public monies, including but not limited to tax dollars, or business site lease revenues, for the purposes of: campaigning, campaign funding, influencing the outcome of any particular election, or use of Kayenta Township employees or property for campaign purposes.” The defendants also agreed to reimburse Mr. Tsosie his entire campaign expenses and attorney's fees in bringing his election lawsuit against the township.

Mr. Tsosie is the Navajo Attorney General but this suit was filed in his own individual capacity.

The OHA can be reached at (928) 871-7836/7837/7838 and by fax at (928) 871-7843.