Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren Faces Serious Ethics Allegations

An ethical crisis is unfolding within the Navajo Nation as President Buu Nygren faces serious allegations that could lead to his removal from office. These accusations come from a special prosecutor who has completed an investigation into potential misconduct during Nygren's administration.

Details of the Ethics Complaint

Legal expert Kyle Nayback, representing an Albuquerque-based firm specializing in federal and tribal law, has lodged an ethics complaint with the Navajo Nation District Court. The complaint encompasses claims of nepotism and the improper use of office resources from January 2023 through May 2025.

Specific allegations include the misuse of government funds for personal expenses, such as lodging and meals for family members. The complaint suggests that President Nygren masked these costs by listing relatives as staff members in official documents and manipulated travel records to conceal these irregularities.

Personal Tasks and Staff Involvement

Moreover, the prosecutor's findings indicate that at least one staff member was instructed to undertake various personal duties for Nygren. These tasks reportedly included child care, cooking, cleaning, and the management of his personal finances. The recommended sanctions against Nygren include forfeiting his salary for up to a year, making restitution, and a potential five-year ban from holding any public office.

Context of the Investigation

The ethical investigation comes at a crucial time as elections approach next year, amplifying scrutiny around Nygren's leadership and governance. The special prosecutor, Nayback, had previously been assigned to look into the utilization of American Rescue Plan Act funds tied to the $24 million ZenniHome project. President Nygren had previously expressed confidence in his administration's operations, stating, “we did nothing wrong.” However, his office has not yet responded to inquiries concerning these latest allegations.

The ZenniHome initiative aimed to mitigate housing shortages on Navajo land by producing 80 modular homes. Ultimately, the project fell significantly short, resulting in only 18 completed units before the closure of its LeChee facility near Page, leading to over 200 job losses.