Shareholders of Chugach, an Alaska Native regional corporation, were offered up to $10,000 in cash prizes for participating in an upcoming hotly-contested election.

The letter offered prizes of $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 prizes. It was sent out by the majority that controls the Chugach board, leading to charges of vote-buying by the slate of majority candidates.

The election is the first since longtime board chairman Sheri Buretta was ousted by secret ballot. Chugach director Edgar Blatchford, a state official who is aligned with the majority board, was accused of orchestrating the ouster. He tried to delay the election but was shouted down, The Anchorage Daily News reported.

Get the Story:
Chugach troubled by board unrest (The Anchorage Daily News 10/19)
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Relevant Links:
Chugach Alaska Corp - http://www.chugach-ak.com

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Chair of Alaska Native corporation removed (03/18)