Tribal chairman arrested trying to enter office

HAVRE, Mont. (AP) – The chairman of the Chippewa Cree Tribe has been arrested in an escalation of a dispute with the tribe’s governing council.

The Havre Daily News reports Ken Blatt St. Marks was taken into custody Wednesday as he approached tribal headquarters.

On Friday, the Chippewa Cree Business Council suspended St. Marks for what it called violations of his duty, a lack of ethical responsibility and a disregard for his obligations.

St. Marks says his opponents want to get rid of him because he’s been working with the federal government in a corruption investigation.

On Tuesday, tribal Judge Duane Gopher lifted a temporary restraining order that barred St. Marks from tribal headquarters.

But tribal officials said St. Marks would be removed if he attempted to return to his office.

–––

Information from: Havre Daily News, http://www.havredailynews.com