Chichiltah nepotism?
Charges leveled against chapter president for hiring of brother

By John Christian Hopkins
Dine Bureau

CHICHILTAH — Chapter President Raymond L. Lancer Sr. has come under fire from some community members, who charge nepotism and misuse of funds.

Shortly after taking office in January 2005, Lancer hired his brother Steve Calvin at a salary of $600 per week, said Harvey Williams. Though the chapter approved creating the position to oversee projects, they didn't okay the hiring of Calvin, Williams said. In fact, he added, it came as a surprise.

"No announcements went out, no applications for the job," Williams said. Calvin got the job even though there's no application on file from him either, Williams charged.

Calvin held his position for eight months, Williams said. Williams said that he and secretary/treasurer Norma E. Smith are trying to get to the bottom of what happened.

"My intention is to unveil this wrongdoing," Williams said.

He said the Local Governance office at Crownpoint, Navajo tribal police and the Ethics and Rules Office have been contacted regarding the situation.

The Ethics and Rules Office is not currently investigating the Chichiltah Chapter, said Executive Director Virgil Brown.

Most cases that come in are confidential, Brown said. However, since there has been no complaint filed, Brown was able to state that no investigation has been launched.

Lancer won the presidency with 27.6 percent of the vote in a tight four-way race against Williams (23.8%), Sammie B. Duboise Sr. (24.3%) and Tommy L. Nelson (24.3%).

"(Lancer) championed his brother and didn't even abstain from voting for him," Williams said.

But nepotism is only part of the problem. There has been a spending spree from the chapter's coffers, Williams said. The public employment program and emergency assistance funds are gone, he said.

The renovation of the senior center had to be put on hold because the funds are now gone, Williams reported.

"They bought tools," Williams said. "They bought everything from a $1,173 laptop to a putty knife."

He said he has two pages listing items Lancer bought, with much of the money spent at Home Depot, Gallup Lumber and Wal Mart.

"Anything bought with chapter money is the chapter's, not the individual's," Williams said. "Once we get the report from the police, we'll know where we stand. Then we may proceed with some sort of action." In the meantime, Williams said he and Smith are trying to organize a community meeting to make people aware of what has been happening. Chichiltah Chapter is part of the Navajo Nation's Eastern Agency.

— (John Christian Hopkins can be reached at 1-505-371-5443, or by email at Hopkins1960@hotmail.com.)