Jourdain sworn in for second term as Red Lake chairman
(AP) - Floyd "Buck" Jourdain Jr. was sworn in for his second term as the chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa on Tuesday, after a three-hour debate over allegations that he bought votes in last month's run-off election.
The tribal council voted 6-2 to install Jourdain and the other recently elected tribal officials. Jourdain defeated former tribal secretary Judy Roy by 71 votes.
The council's vote was an repudiation of a July 28 ruling by the tribal election board, which had called for a new run-off between Jourdain and Roy.
The election board had ruled there was merit to claims that Jourdain attempted to buy votes for anywhere from $40 to $100.
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The election complaint also alleged that a bus paid for with tribal funds was used to transport Jourdain supporters from Duluth to the on-reservation polls, and that Jourdain gave complimentary rooms at the tribe's Seven Clans Casino Hotel without authorization.
Jourdain called the allegations untrue, unfounded and ridiculous. Jourdain said he believes the charges were fabricated.
Jourdain again denied the allegations on Tuesday. "I have nothing to hide from the Red Lake Nation, and I will prove that," he said.
Even though the election board was on Tuesday's agenda, none of its members spoke. About 300 people attended the council meeting.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
