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Panel seeks Chester Carl's advice

By Vida Volkert

Staff writer eastnavaioAdallupindpendent.com

WINDOW ROCK — Members of the Navajo Nation Council are pinning their hopes on former Navajo Housing Authority CEO Chester Carl — despite corruption charges against him pending in district court in Las Vegas.

During a Resources and Development Committee reg

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Chester Carl

Carl

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War meeting in Window Rock April 9, Council delegates discussed the possibility of meeting with Carl to get advice on how to revamp the NHA and take over the Tribally Designated Housing Entity.

"We call upon Mr. Chester Carl to help us with this. Yes, there are charges but they are merely charges at this point," Council Delegate Katherine Benally said, according to the meeting transcripts released by the NHA last week. "The man is still innocent and so he has a lot of information and a lot of expertise and Council called upon him to guide us."

Council Delegate Leonard Tsosie further added that he wanted to meet with Carl in Chinle on April 20, after attending a meeting organized by the Dine bi Siihasin or Hope of the Dine People.

In an email Tuesday, Tsosie said he did not meet with Carl April 20.

"I am not seeking his advice," Tsosie wrote. "Rather than his advice on reform ... I would be willing to ask him on what worked and what did not work at NHA level. The concern will be there — it is like seeking advice from 011ie North."

He did not elaborate on his statement.

NHA attorney Patterson Joe condemned the committee's decision to connect with Carl.

"The decision shows lack of good judgment and lack of wisdom. I hope that the rest of the Council delegates do not support this unwise decision," Patterson wrote Tuesday. "Current NHA leadership recognizes the severity of the charges made against Mr. Carl and they are closely monitoring the ongoing federal criminal trial."

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Carl is undergoing a criminal trial in the district court in Las Vegas related to bribery charges.

Patterson added Carl is currently barred by the federal government from participating in federally funded projects.

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