From:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1023navajonation-contempt-ON.html

Navajo Nation judge holds tribal government in contempt

Associated Press

Oct. 23, 2003 01:00 PM

SHIPROCK, N.M. - A Navajo Nation district judge has held the tribal
government in contempt of court for ignoring an order to return property to
a former tribal councilman, but the Navajo prosecutor's office said it was
never notified about hearings in the case.

Shiprock Judicial District Judge Raymond Begaye on Wednesday issued the
contempt citation in connection with a July 31 court order to return
property to former Council Delegate J.C. Begay.

. . .

Begaye on Wednesday fined the Navajo Nation $1,000 a day, retroactive to
July 31, for a search and seizure on the Begay family home, which the judge
previously ruled illegal. The judge fined the tribe $5,000 a day, beginning
Wednesday, for ignoring his court order.

He also held Roanhorse in contempt for failing to appear or comply with his
order to return the property. Three correspondences were sent to Roanhorse
without any response, including a show-cause letter on Sept. 23, the judge
said.

"The court has done all it has to do and still there is no response from
the Navajo Nation ... they should be aware of the gravity of the
situation," he said.

Shiprock property belonging to Begay, his children and grandchildren was
seized Nov. 25, 2002, under a search warrant executed before dawn by
Crownpoint police officers and Navajo rangers from Window Rock.

Begay said Wednesday that tribal authorities violated his civil rights
during the raid.

The Navajo Nation has never charged him with any crime.

. . .

An estimated $200,000 worth of property confiscated from the family,
including 51 head of cattle, has never been returned. Begay has said about
200 items were seized and others were destroyed during the search. 

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