Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren Under Fire for Ethics Violations

An ongoing legal situation is raising significant questions within the Navajo Nation regarding the conduct of its President, Buu Nygren. A special prosecutor has leveled serious accusations against him, leading to a potential push for his removal from office. Details of the Ethics Complaint Attorney Kyle Nayback, based in Albuquerque and experienced in both federal and tribal legal matters, has formally lodged an ethics complaint with the Navajo Nation District Court. The allegations involve nepotism and the improper use of government resources by President Nygren during his term from January 2023 to May 2025. The complaint suggests that Nygren misused public funds for personal expenses, including lodging and meals for family members, while allegedly misrepresenting these individuals as staff in official documentation and falsifying travel logs. Accusations Regarding Staff Misuse Furthermore, the report from the prosecutor indicates that Nygren instructed at least one staff member to perform personal duties, which encompassed child care, cooking, cleaning, and handling his personal financial matters. As a result, the prosecutor is recommending that Nygren should return his salary for up to a year, repay misused funds, and face a five-year prohibition on holding any public office. These allegations come at a critical time, as an election is scheduled for next year, placing further examination on Nygren's leadership amidst these serious accusations. Context of the Investigation and Related Projects The investigation conducted by Nayback originated from concerns about the use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, particularly linked to the now-defunct ZenniHome initiative. This project aimed to address housing shortages on Navajo land by constructing 80 modular homes, but it ultimately failed to deliver on its promise, completing only 18 homes before the facility in LeChee was shuttered, resulting in over 200 job losses. In August, Nygren had been vocal about maintaining confidence in his administration’s integrity, affirming, “we did nothing wrong.” However, his office has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the latest allegations against him.