By Luke Laggis, City Editor

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The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council has impeached two of its members, the latest salvo in a political battle that has split the tribe and sent accusations flying in both directions.

Tom Maulson and Brooks Big John were the number one and two vote-getters respectively in the last tribal election, yet a petition that was circulated and brought before a special committee made its way to a council hearing where the two were impeached Friday. Maulson was removed from the council on a 5-3 vote and Big John on a 5-4 vote, with Tribal President Vicki Doud casting the tie-breaking vote.

“A petition drafted by the administrator, submitted by a convicted drug dealer, reviewed by     a Doud-appointed committee, presented to a kangaroo court, has robbed our people of their     duly elected tribal council members,” said Tom Maulson regarding his and Big John’s removal.

Supporters of Maulson and Big John issued a press release Friday railing Doud and the process through which the impeachments took place.

“Since the $50 million bond-loan deal had been exposed in January of this year, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council has lost five popular, duly elected, council members,” the release stated. “Victoria Doud and her newly ‘Appointed Interim Council,’ which now consists of mostly Doud supporters, rules over the tribe with a goon squad at their side.”

The committee that reviewed the petition is supposed to be impartial, though those on the side of Maulson and Big John point out close ties between the committee members and Doud. John Mayo, who was originally on the committee before being replaced, actually signed the petition against Maulson and Big John.

Tensions in Lac du Flambeau, which had been rising for several months over allegations of corruption and fraud within the tribal government, boiled over in March when a dissident group occupied the tribal government offices for what turned out to be a 12-hour standoff. The GINEWS, comprised mainly of tribal elders, was seeking a full forensic audit of the tribe’s finances in response to the $50 million bond deal.

The next step for Maulson and Big John is a special election tentatively set for June 14. The vote will be open to all tribal members, and Big John said the people will have their say.

“We’re not going anywhere. We’re not going away,” Big John said. “Whether it turns out our way or your way, we’re not going away. We’re still going to be here fighting for our proud people here. We are leaders, whether they remove us or not. We’re still leaders in our community. People look up to us.”

And while the tribe is divided on many levels, Big John said the issues at hand have also brought people together and exposed the tribe’s problems.

“Some good may come of it. ... It’s definitely going to open people’s eyes,” Big John said.

A

RE-ELECT BROOKS BIG JOHN AND TOM MAULSON TO THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE ON THE COUNCIL

MEMBERSHIP RE-ELECTION RALLY, NOON SUN 31ST, 2690 THOROFARE RD

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La Barge wrote on Jun 2, 2008 11:32 AM: " We, as voters, see that the tibe is at a constant struggle with finances and when things go wrong, who's name always follows the cause of the problem, "MAULSON" .... It's been rumored that his main agenda is for the money.. I say don't be so greedy, take what you have taken from the tribe and quit exploiting our trbal leaders.... " The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.

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