A judge for the Walker River Paiute Tribe of Nevada dismissed a defamation complaint filed against a tribal member.

As part of a recall effort against two council members, Patty Hicks, 60, criticized a tribal employee in an e-mail. The employee subsequently filed a criminal complaint in tribal court.

Hicks claims the tribe is misusing federal funds to rebuild the Weber Dam. The employee, Water Resource Coordinator Elveda Martinez, says a review by the Department of Interior showed no problems.

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Tribal judge throws out defamation complaint (AP 2/10)

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E-mail leads to libel charges against tribal member (01/07)