A council member who was suspended from the Ute Tribe of Utah denies being behind a recall effort.

The petitions against Chairwoman Irene Cuch and Stewart Pike, another council member, were filed on October 19. Three weeks later, Richard Jenks Jr. was suspended without pay for 90 days.

"The recall on Irene Cuch and Stewart Pike have nothing to do with me, but I know, Stewart thinks I’m involved," Jenks told The Vernal Express.

The petitions are due January 8, 2012. If they are accepted, the recall election will be held by February 3.

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