An outside investigation has found that Navajo President Buu Nygren did not sexually harass Navajo Vice President Richelle Montoya, Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch said.
Montoya’s account of the August 17, 2023 incident “does not constitute sexual harassment under the policies applicable to elected officials of the Navajo Nation or to employees covered by the Navajo Nation (Personnel Policies Manual),” according to Eric Dahlstrom of Rothstein Donatelli , the external counsel. handling the investigation. “Furthermore, the facts reported would not violate any criminal law of the Navajo Nation.”
Based on these findings, the investigation concluded that “further investigation into Vice President Montoya’s claim of sexual harassment and the appointment of a special prosecutor are not warranted.”
Allegations of sexual harassment by Montoya first came to light last April when she went live on her personal Facebook page to share that she had been harassed the previous August. She did not identify the person involved. A few weeks later, Nygren denied the accusations against him, making the public aware that Montoya had been talking about Nygren.
After Montoya detailed her allegations, the Navajo Nation Council released a statement saying its leaders had agreed to a request to create legislation to launch an independent investigation into the allegation.
Branch has come under heavy scrutiny for delays in the preliminary investigation, which took seven months to complete. Last week, the Naabik’iyati Committee passed legislation calling for Branch’s removal as attorney general. The legislation, which passed without debate, now heads to an upcoming Navajo Nation Council session for discussion and a final vote.
“Like many of you, I am frustrated by the amount of time this investigation took, but it was critical to ensure a full analysis and recommendation by the independent third party,” Branch said.
She said the investigation interviewed multiple employees, set up a phone and text tip line for members of the public to express their concerns, and conducted a thorough search of public sources.
“I am confident that no stone has been left unturned in the search for evidence of possible wrongdoing,” Branch said. “As Attorney General, my responsibility is to the Diné people and the Navajo Nation as a whole. It has not been my role to judge or point fingers at any party involved in this unfortunate situation. My role from the beginning has been to ensure that the allegations are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.”
She said that now that the preliminary investigation is complete, she plans to follow the independent investigator’s recommendations.
“I do not believe it is in the best interest of the nation to continue to spend the nation’s money on allegations that, even if found true, would not amount to any violation of Navajo law,” Branch said . “While it is time to put this matter to rest and move forward as a nation, I want to emphasize that the Navajo Nation takes any allegation of sexual harassment seriously.”
The investigation report will be released publicly once the Navajo Nation Leadership is notified.
“I encourage any Navajo employee who feels he or she has been a victim of sexual harassment in the workplace to report it,” Branch said. “Together we can provide a safe and comfortable work environment for all of our Navajo communities.”
Arlyssa D. Becenti covers indigenous affairs for the Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: No evidence that Buu Nygren molested Richelle Montoya, per investigator
