Related articles:

O'odham leader is accused of negligence O'odham leader is accused of negligence

Other articles by Lourdes Medrano:

Arts council in money bind OV impact fees could be raised, new ones started Community notes Ah, that cool, tempting water Community notes Marana council gives itself a raise Community notes Community notes Project withdrawn in OV after outcry SaddleBrooke TV in prelaunch phase

Health Care
FRONT OFFICE Trades/Construction
Lectra-Serv, Inc
Electricians & Helpers General
ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE
DISPATCHER/SECRETARY General
Prestige maintenance USA
Custodian Administrative & Professional
Tucson Symphony
Teleservices Sales/Courtesy Rep Trades/Construction
Pioneer Landscaping
Yard Person/Loader Operator Trades/Construction
arizona portland cement
maintenance electrician

SELLS — Vivian Juan-Saunders, chairwoman of the Tohono O'odham Nation, will stay in office.

On Wednesday, after a two-day hearing, the 22-member Legislative Council dismissed charges another elected official had brought against her in tribal constitutional proceedings.

Beverly Rivas, a council member from the Sells District, contended that the chairwoman neglected her duties in overseeing the tribe's treasury department, where $6.5 million sat undeposited for months.

After hearing lengthy testimony from Juan-Saunders and her accuser, a majority of council members voted to find Juan-Saunders not guilty of gross negligence and gross neglect of duty, or of failure to adhere to tribal laws, ordinances and resolutions. The audience broke into applause.

Juan-Saunders emerged from council chambers teary-eyed, and was embraced by supporters. "Thank you, everybody," she told them.

In an interview, the chairwoman said she was relieved at the outcome.

"Now we can go on with the business of the nation," she said.

Although her attorney, Rob Rosette, tried to cast doubt during the hearing on the cited amount in cash and checks that a cashier failed to deposit before she resigned, Juan-Saunders declined to confirm it or give a different one. But she noted that the incident in the treasury department exposed a need for more checks and balances.

Earlier in the day, Juan-Saunders testified she was unaware of the undeposited money until employees discovered it in March. She insisted that once she learned of the incident, she quickly summoned leaders to a meeting to get a handle on it.

But Rivas and her lawyer, Faith Seotha, maintained that Juan-Saunders is ultimately responsible for what happens in her administration, and that her actions came too late.

The chairwoman stressed that every decision she makes is based on the best interest of the nation, but that she cannot personally supervise each of the 1,200 employees under the executive office.

She also denied violating any tribal laws, but her testimony and that of Rivas revealed a long-standing dispute between the chairwoman and the Legislative Council over who has the authority to conduct routine tribal business, such as signing vendor contracts.

Juan-Saunders, whose four-year term ends in May, said she and the council are working to resolve those differences.