Delegate Mel R. Begay represents the Coyote Canyon, Mexican Springs, Naschitti, Tohatchi, Bahastl'a'a chapters on the Navajo Nation Council. Photo from Navajo Nation Council / Facebook

The wife of a Navajo Nation Council delegate has been jailed since Monday on a contempt of court charge.

Invoking spousal privilege, Mitzie Begay has repeatedly refused to answer questions about an ongoing case involving her husband, Delegate Mel R. Begay, The Farmington Daily-Times reported. So a tribal judge sent her to jail on Monday, the paper said.

Mitzie Begay has since filed a petition for release with the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. A hearing is set to take place on Friday, the Daily-Times reported.

“We are confident that the Navajo Nation Supreme Court will determine that the government cannot force a spouse to testify against his/her spouse about their private communications because it is not right and it is not consistent with Navajo laws and traditions,” Mel Begay said in a statement to the paper.

The case against Mel Begay is part of a long-running investigation into the use of discretionary funds by current and former delegates to the council. He's accused of using more than $30,000 to benefit his relatives, the Daily-Times reported.

Get the Story:
Council delegate's wife requests jail release (The Farmington Daily-Times 3/10)
Delegate's wife found in contempt of court (The Farmington Daily-Times 3/8)