Navajo Prez Nygren Cleared of Sexual Harassment Claims Against His VP

Following an exhaustive eight-month investigation, the Navajo Nation Attorney General’s Office has concluded that sexual harassment claims made by Vice President Richelle Montoya against President Buu Nygren are “not warranted.” This preliminary finding was disclosed in a statement released on Monday.

The investigation established that Montoya’s account of an incident from August 17, 2023, does not meet the criteria for sexual harassment as defined by Navajo Nation policies or applicable laws. The investigation concluded that the reported facts do not infringe upon any criminal statutes within the Navajo Nation.

The inquiry was initiated in April after Montoya publicly asserted that she had endured harassment and bullying within the Office of the President and Vice President. Her comments were first made during the Navajo Nation Council’s spring session on April 15, where she expressed her dissatisfaction with her workplace environment.

In a subsequent Facebook Live session, Montoya detailed an alleged incident of sexual harassment that occurred in August, though she did not initially name the accused. In May, Nygren publicly acknowledged that he was the individual named in Montoya’s claims, which took place during a meeting in his office.

Under pressure from the Navajo Nation Council and the public, Attorney General Ethel Branch commissioned an external investigation led by attorney Eric Dahlstrom from the Rothstein Donatelli law firm. The preliminary findings suggest that further investigation or the appointment of a Special Prosecutor is unnecessary.

In response to the findings, Nygren expressed relief at being cleared of wrongdoing, stating that the allegations had caused division within the Navajo community. He called for unity and healing, insisting that Montoya should be held accountable for what he termed a “disgraceful power grab.”

Although Nygren terminated Montoya’s authority over various projects in October and called for her resignation, she has yet to respond to that request. Branch acknowledged frustration with the investigation’s duration but emphasized the need for a thorough analysis by the independent counsel.

The investigation involved interviews with several individuals, including Montoya, Nygren, and the president’s key aides. Branch stated that the investigation left “no rock unturned” in pursuing evidence. With the preliminary evaluation complete, she advocated for following the independent investigator’s recommendations, noting that the allegations do not justify the continued expenditure of public resources.

Branch reiterated the importance of addressing allegations of sexual harassment seriously, affirming the Department of Justice’s commitment to a comprehensive investigative process. She announced that the full report would be made public once Navajo Nation leadership has been debriefed.

In a related move, Branch announced the termination of the Navajo Nation’s contracts with Rothstein Donatelli LLP, citing delays in the investigation as a contributing factor to governmental instability. She emphasized that the Navajo Nation deserves prompt and diligent legal representation, confirming that the Nation will seek new counsel going forward.