Gover featured in `Republic'

10/17/2007

Gover featured in `Republic'
 Kevin Gover
 Kevin Gover
     Professor Kevin Gover's involvement in settling a dispute among members of an Indian tribe in Northern Arizona was reported in an Oct. 6 article in The Arizona Republic.
     The article by reporter Dennis Wagner, headlined, "Disputed vote latest in Paiute tribal turmoil," reported that Gover, a professor at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, was appointed by leaders of the San Juan Southern Paiutes as a special judge to resolve the charges of election fraud, financial irregularities and squabbling.
     Gover, who also is an affiliate professor in the American Indian Studies Program at Arizona State University and co-executive director of ASU's American Indian Policy Institute, determined balloting irregularities were caused by Evelyn James, the tribe's first elected leader, and her associates, who were unlawfully trying to sabotage the election.
     In November, James and two council allies were recalled, an action that was valid, Gover ruled. However, James remained in office and adopted a resolution to reverse Gover's findings as a violation of unspecified traditional law.
     In a second ruling, Gover wrote, "The conduct of this election violates every common precept of democracy, fair dealing and the rule of law. The refusal of Evelyn James (and her associates) to leave office is not lawful. They are usurpers. They are pretenders."
     Gover declared Lee Choe, considered the acting president by James' opponents, as acting president and ordered a new election. That election, held Oct. 5-6, failed to result in the selection of a new leader.
 
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