Violators ignore subpoenas
Begay, Lee face criminal prosectution for refusing to appear for hearings

By John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Two ethics violators who have proven uncooperative with the Ethics & Rules office could face criminal prosecution.

Both Alta Begay and Ella Mae Lee have refused to appear for a show cause hearing before the Ethics & Rules Committee, said E & R Executive Director Virgil Brown. Each had a $1,000 contempt fine tacked on top of their ordered restitution payments.

Begay has been served at least five times, without responding, Brown said.

"You can hear them walk around, but no one answers the door," Brown said.

Lee was even more arrogant, he said. "She just ripped up the order."

Brown was giving the committee an update on how active and pending cases are faring.

E & R is limited in what it can do to enforce its orders, suggested Vice Chairman Roscoe Smith. The next option would be to make it a criminal case if someone refuses to cooperate with the ethics office, Smith said.

"With Ella Mae Lee and Alta Begay, we definitely need to take it to the next step," said ethics investigator Lewnell Harrison. "If not, everyone will just start doing what they're doing."

"Those two I mentioned have been very uncooperative," agreed Brown. "They have never showed up."

The ethics case against Alexander Thomas will be closed now that he has deceased.

Although Begay and Lee have been the most egregious examples of a refusal to take responsibility for their actions, other ethics violators have also fallen short of the agreements they reached with the committee to make amends for past indiscretions.

"We have tried to work with the people," Brown said.

One such example is Herman Yellowhorse, said Ron Largo, an ethics investigator.

"We went over there at least six times and he either isn't home or avoids us," Largo said. "We've left messages in writing, and with his son."

Donald Hubbard promised in writing to make restitution, but to date has made only one payment for $200 last November, Brown said.

That's one payment morethan Leon Harvey has made.

"Ever since he left (his hearing) Dec. 4, we have heard nothing from him," Brown said. "We've sent certified mail, but it comes back unclaimed. This guy doesn't want to do anything."

Last December, when he appeared for his hearing, Brown said he tried to get an address and phone number for Harvey, but "he just took off."

Other outstanding cases include:

Paul Jones, of Casamero Lake, agreed to pay $50 a month beginning in February. To date he has paid nothing.

Margie Barton, of Dilkon, asked for community service, she also agreed to pay $100 a month starting in January. She has made no payments.

Louise Walker has no begun paying $50 a month restitution as she agreed, nor has she begun doing community service.

Frank Spencer was supposed to make arrangements with Red Rock Chapter for community service, there is no evidence that he has ever contacted the chapter.

Nelson Rockwell agreed to do community service at Aneth, but has not made any arrangements.

Tina Lansing has made no payments. Because her case includes federal violations, the E & R office has requested information from the federal authorities, but has received no response.

Tracking down the remorseless offenders can be challenging, said Harrison.

"A lot of times, family members are reluctant to be cooperative," said Harrison. The committee needs to take stronger steps, he added. "We locate these people, we go hundreds of miles to find them and then they just rip (the subpoenas) up in our face."

John Christian Hopkins can be reached at hopkins1960@hotmail.com or by calling 505-371-5443.