Ex-Navajo lawmaker pleads guilty to misusing tribal funds

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) – A former Navajo Nation lawmaker has pleaded guilty in a criminal case to misusing tribal funds.

The plea entered earlier this month in tribal court means Young Jeff Tom Sr. will avoid an April trial.

Tom says in court documents that he conspired with five former colleagues to commit bribery. He says the lawmakers agreed to provide tribal funds to each other’s family members, even though he knew it was illegal.

Tom faces jail time and probation. He also could be ordered to repay up to $13,750.

A sentencing date hasn’t been set.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors dropped six counts of bribery against Tom.

The case is part of a larger investigation of a now-defunct discretionary fund used by Navajo Nation Council delegates.