The tribal council of the Eastern Cherokee of North Carolina has fired three gaming commissioners: Bob Blankenship, Don Rose and Sheila Brown.
Principal Chief Patrick Lambert last week confirmed the removal of the commissioners, who shortly after taking office accused the three of malfeasance in connection with the hiring of a new executive director of the Tribal Gaming Commission, a position that Lambert himself held before resigning to run for principal chief.
After he left the commission began a hiring process that led the commissioners to offer the job to former Principal Chief Michell Hicks at a higher salary. He successfully pushed through a resolution removing the commissioners.
The three former commissioners have retained legal counsel. They maintain they were ousted without due process.
Lambert said this involved favoritism and ignoring protocols.
