A state judge in Oklahoma has assumed control of a bank account holding $6.4 million owned by the
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.
Judge Doug Haught said rival tribal factions will have to ask for the court's permission to withdraw money from the account. But he said it's possible that neither Gov. Janice Prairie Chief-Boswell nor Lt. Gov. Leslie Wandrie-Harjo will have access to the funds until they resolve their ongoing leadership dispute.
“Disbursement will be ordered based upon a yet-to-be-determined standard,” Haught wrote in his decision, The Oklahoman reported. “It is possible that no disbursement can be authorized until tribal turmoil has been resolved.”
According to an attorney for the First Bank and Trust Co., someone from the tribe withdrew $2 million from the account shortly before the bank placed a freeze on the account. Someone was trying to withdraw another $1.9 million as the freeze was imposed, the attorney said.
Get the Story:
Oklahoma tribes' millions to be controlled by district judge
(The Oklahoman 6/26)
Judge rules in Cheyenne & Arapaho frozen funds case
(The Native American Times 6/26)
Related Stories:
Judge hears dispute on Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes
bank account (6/12)
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes
want funds at bank unfrozen (05/08)
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