NAVAJO COUNCIL DEBATING LEGISLATION 0069-14, REMOVAL OF DELEGATE JOHNNY NAIZE AS SPEAKER, DURING SPECIAL SESSION ON APRIL 4, 2014. SOME DELEGATES THAT ARE OPPOSING 0069-14 ARE ARGUING THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO WAIT FOR THE COURT TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST NAIZE BEFORE THE COUNCIL REMOVES NAIZE AS SPEAKER.

DELEGATE LEONARD TSOSIE
The integrity of the Navajo Nation is at stake. And the integrity of the Navajo people is at stake. And so Speaker Naize, you shud ask for your trial to be held next week otherwise this controversy will go into the upcoming elections.

DELEGATE KATHERINE BENALLY
If this is for the integrity of Navajo Nation, why are you prosecuting one person? YOu are selectively going after this person individually. When President Shelly and Vice President Rex Lee Jim came into office, they plead guilty to similar criminal charges related to discretionary funds.

DELEGATE LORENZO CURLEY
People have come to me too, like Delegate Leonard Tsosie. And I have been thinking that maybe we are being selective and that there are other issues to be addressed as well, such as the Navajo Nation Supreme Court Chief Justice. And until that is done, I’m not going to support this legislation. What are the other ways that the speaker can be removed? we have ethics laws, election laws. how can those entities use Navajo law to remove Naize?

NAVAJO NATION DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL DANA BOBROff
Shiprock chapter asked how to remove delegates facing similar criminal charges related to Financial Assistance Program. Council put responsiblity on election board to remove elected official convicted of anything.