PAWHUSKA, Okla. – Citing the tribe’s Sunshine laws, a civil lawsuit against Osage Chief John Red Eagle was filed Wednesday morning in tribal court

The tribe’s newspaper, the Osage News, filed the complaint against Red Eagle for not responding to an open records request filed earlier this year concerning the terms of a non-tribal contractor’s terms of employment.

“The Osage News has a duty to uphold its integrity and follow through with the laws set forth by the Osage Nation, even if its elected leaders do not,” Osage News Editor Shannon Shaw Duty said. “Principal Chief John Red Eagle failed to respond to an open records request we filed in January of this year. Our request was filed for a contract with Rod Hartness, a pipeline consultant.”

As per the tribe’s Open Records Act, Red Eagle’s office had 10 business days to provide the contract, request additional time or explain in writing why the request could not be fulfilled. Since Red Eagle’s office did not respond within 35 business days, the Open Records Act allows for the request in tribal court.

“Our claim filed in the Osage Nation Trial Court is another step toward building a stronger Osage Nation, where laws are followed and people are held accountable for their actions,” Shaw Duty said.

A hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 11. Potential penalties include a fine of up to $5,000.

The Osage Nation Congress has also requested copies of any contracts between the tribe and Hartness over the last 12 months. Attempts to subpoena the documents from the tribe’s treasurer, Callie Catcher, are currently tied up in tribal court.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Red Eagle’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

Wednesday’s complaint is the second civil action filed against Red Eagle within a week. Earlier this month, the tribe’s attorney general filed an ethics complaint against Red Eagle, claiming the chief tried to block the investigation of a tribal employee and ordered the tribe’s gaming board pay for a member’s travel in full after deciding not to due to budget constraints.