10 Ex-Navajo Nation Lawmakers Sentenced For Slush Fund Case

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Ten former Navajo Nation lawmakers have been sentenced for their involvement in misusing the tribe's discretionary fund. The Daily Times reports (http://bit.ly/2biya1E ) that most of the lawmakers were sentenced Wednesday in Window Rock to probation and community service or ordered to pay restitution with the exception of former Delegate Leonard Teller and former Delegate Jack Colorado, both of whom were sentenced to serve brief stints in jail. Prosecutors say all 10 delegates abused a financial assistance program designed to help tribal members facing hard times. Each delegate pleaded either guilty or no contest to charges of conspiracy, making or permitting false tribal voucher, conflict of interest or adversely affecting confidence of people in the government. Three other former delegates already have been sentenced and four lawmakers are still awaiting sentencing.