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Tribal justice officials didn’t immediately say how many complaints had been issued. Navajo lawmakers were told to call the prosecutor’s office to determine if they are the subject of a criminal complaint.

But lawmakers curious to find out were told they would have to wait until Thursday to see if they’re on the list. Defendants have until the close of business Friday to pick up the complaints and summons or they will be served by police, justice officials said.

“This is probably one list you really don’t want to be on,” said council Delegate LoRenzo Bates.

Tribal Council spokesman Alastair Bitsoi said the position of lawmakers has been that the funds are available to give out to those in need and as they see fit. He said the 88-member council bases its decisions on respect and upholding the public interest.

“They’re innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “They still have to go through the process, and if this is the process, we’ll continue.”

The complaints were announced during the Tribal Council’s weeklong fall session in Window Rock and just ahead of the Nov. 2 election in which nearly three dozen lawmakers are on the ballot.

The council receives millions of dollars a year though supplemental budget appropriations to dole out to elderly Navajos on fixed income, college students, organizations in need or Navajos looking for emergency funding.

Any Navajo can seek financial assistance from a single lawmaker every six months, according to the policy, which has been amended over the years to exclude a limit on how much an individual could receive.

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