A feud within a small California tribe that led to the firing of former Bureau of Indian Affairs deputy Wayne Smith has been resolved in a manner that he originally backed.

Rhonda Morningstar Pope won control of the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians under a legal agreement signed last week. The deal requires Donnamarie Potts, whose connections to the tribe were questioned, to step aside but she and her children will remain members.

Smith was trying to resolve dispute in favor of Pope in early 2002 when political operatives and lobbyists working for Potts launched a smear campaign against him. Letters written by Smith's former business partner suggested he was trading on his influence as the BIA's second-in-command.

Smith was eventually fired despite lack of evidence linking him to the letters. Roger Stone, a GOP operative, later boasted of leading the smear campaign that led to the White House. Stone said he helped Neal McCaleb and Aurene Martin get their jobs at the BIA.

Get the Story:
Buena Vista Rancheria leadership suit settled (The Amador Ledger-Dispatch 1/5)
Feud Over Tribal Control Resolved (The Los Angeles Times 1/5)
pwlat

Related Stories:
GOP operative admits hatchet job on Wayne Smith (04/22)
White House called weekly about casino (11/05)
Terminated tribe at center of battle (06/24)
Wayne Smith already lobbying (6/5)
Wayne Smith's hired gun (5/28)
Wayne Smith seeks protection (5/27)
BIA fires Wayne Smith (5/24)
Smith won't go without fight (5/24)
Wayne Smith given the boot (5/23)
Decision on tiny tribe fought (5/21)
BIA affirms leadership of tiny tribe (5/13)
Calif. tribe threatens suit over 'retaliation' (5/1)
Norton asked to investigate BIA deputy (4/23)
McCaleb aide reports friend to FBI (4/22)
White House looking into McCaleb aide (4/19)
'I think you get the picture' (4/17)
BIA deputy recused on recognition (4/16)
Wall Street Journal blasted for 'drive by' (4/5)