Here at Naabik’iyati Committee where Delegate Danny Simpson asked the Naabi Committee to do a blanket approval of all legislation headed to the Council, which includes his two pieces of legislation.
DELEGATE DANNY SIMPSON
It’s not about being impatient. It’s about getting these legislation to Council. I’ll withdraw motion and when gets to Council, then vote. So that is my point.
Now on Legislation 0357-13: Recommending and Approving Eddie Sandoval as member of Navajo Nation Oil & Gas Company. Legislative Director Tom Platero finished reading Legislation 0357-13 into record.
DELEGATE RUSSELL BEGAYE is sponsor
Navajo President Ben Shelly has authority appoint four members to Navajo Oil and Gas. President has appointed three.
CANDIDATE EDDIE SANDOVAL
Navajo Oil and Gas is thriving. I want to be part of Navajo Oil and Gas. I enjoy this kind of work.
DELEGATES KATHERINE BENALLY AND LEONARD TSOSIE
This individual works for Resolute, which is a competitor for Navajo Oil and Gas and has access to all information regarding Navajo Oil and Gas. And remember, the Council and Naabi go into executive session to discuss proprietary information about businesses. And Mr. Sandoval is from Pueblo Pintado, which is one of my community members but I’m not going to just vote for him because he’s one of my constituents. I telephoned Mr. Sandoval and asked him to put a hold on his confirmation to clear up alleged conflict of interest.
And at Navajo Oil and Gas, the board chairman is trying to stack the Board with members that will support him. And I asked Mr. Sandoval to also wait until after the dust settles on the Board. I don’t question Mr. Sandoval as an individual. i’m concerned that mr. Sandoval works for a competitor. it’s wrong and a serious conflict of interest.
I also asked that opinion of Attorney General harrison Tsosie be distributed, which states that Dec. 21, 2013 meeting of Shareholders was wrong. There is now litigation in Window Rock District Court. This is where need disclosure. And President Shelly should know about this.
With litigation and serious conflict of interest, we would not be correct to vote on Mr. Sandoval’s confirmation.
