Oct 8, 2008 9:13 pm US/Central
Benjamin Removed As Mille Lacs CEO
ONAMIA, Minn. (AP) ―
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has removed longtime Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin.
Benjamin was removed following a joint session of elected officials Wednesday on the Mille Lacs Reservation. Herbert Weyaus Sr. was appointed the band's interim CEO.
On Sept. 29, a petition with 361 signatures was submitted to the Mille Lacs Band Assembly asking for Benjamin's removal, citing ethical allegations. The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) requires signatures from at least 20 percent of the band's eligible voters, or a minimum of 241 signers.
The band did not detail the allegations.
Benjamin was elected CEO in 2000 and began her third term last July. She told The Associated Press that her removal is "illegal" and she plans to contest it. She denies any wrongdoing.
"All I can tell you is I didn't do anything wrong," Benjamin said.
In a news release, Weyaus said "A change in leadership is always difficult for a community. ... I hope we can come together during this time to move the band forward in a positive direction."
Under the MCT Constitution, the band has 141 days to hold an election for a new chief executive. The band says the action does not affect Grand Casino Mille Lacs or Grand Casino Hinckley.
Since 1998, Weyaus has served as the band's secretary/treasurer and speaker of the Band Assembly, which is the band's legislative branch. Sandra Blake was appointed the band's interim secretary/treasurer.
The Mille Lacs Band, an American Indian tribe located in east-central Minnesota, has more than 4,000 enrolled members.
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