St. Marks removed from office

In the meeting that Chippewa Cree Business Committee Chairman Ken Blatt St. Marks was ordered to call in order for the council to discuss charges against him and the possibility of his impeachment, there was only one necessary person not present — St. Marks.

Attorney Richard Zack of Pepper Hamilton, who represents the committee, said this morning that St. Marks has been effectively removed as chairman.

“I believe they’ll have a special election at some point that hasn’t been scheduled yet,” Zack said.

No community members showed up to the meeting like they did at the last similar meeting, the last time St. Marks was accused of the allegations.

Tribal council had previously announced that the meeting was meant to be closed.

“Blatt-St. Marks has repeatedly engaged in gross misconduct and has neglected his duty by violating his ethical duties, engaging in criminal conduct, and acting contrary to the Tribe’s best interests,” reads a write-up from the committee’s lawyers explaining their opinion. “He has consistently pursued his own financial and personal interests over those of the tribe.”

St. Marks is accused of being corrupt, embezzling from the tribe, violating tribal law and many other charges. “Based on the extensive wrongful misconduct described in the charges and Mr. Blatt-St. Marks’ failure to contest these fifteen charges at the hearing on March 2, 2015, the Business Committee has determined that Blatt-St. Marks has engages in ‘neglect of duty’ and ‘gross misconduct’ such that his removal is warranted under the Constitution,” the lawyers’ conclusion reads. “Each of these charges, both independently and collectively, warrant Blatt-St. Marks’ removal from office for neglect of duty and gross misconduct pursuant to the Tribe’s established Constitutional process.”