Navajo President on Administrative Leave Pending Investigation

The Navajo Nation Council voted 48-22 to put President Joe Shirley Jr. on administrative leave with pay during an investigation and possible prosecution of ethical, civil and criminal charges by the Navajo Nation through a special prosecutor, according to a press release issued on Oct. 26 by the Navajo Nation’s Office of the Speaker.

There are currently three investigations underway alleging wrongdoing by the president and key members of his staff, the release said.

On Oct. 19, the council received reports on the investigations, performed by law firms contracted by the Office of the Attorney General, relative to the Navajo Nation’s dealings with the private companies OnSat and BCDS. The reports, the release said, provide reasonable grounds that certain Navajo Nation officials and employees may have seriously breached their fiduciary trust to the Navajo people.

Putting Shirley on leave will allow appropriate law enforcement authorities access to further information within the Office of the President/Vice President and prevent the office from obstructing or otherwise interfering with the investigation and possible prosecution from the allegations set forth in the investigative reports, the release said.