The just elected chairman of the Northern California Yurok Tribe, James Dunlap, has resigned after coming under a cloud when information surfaced about his alleged criminal past.
The Yurok Tribe operates the Redwood Hotel Casino near Klamath.
Vice Chairman David L. Gensaw Sr. issued a statement about the resignation: “There is no doubt about it, this is sad and frustrating day for the Yurok people, but we have prevailed over bigger challenges in our past and we will overcome this, too. Every day, the Tribe’s 300-plus employees work hard to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions on the Yurok Reservation and in the surrounding areas. Their good work should not be overshadowed by this situation.”
Under the tribal constitution the tribal council has the option of filling the vacancy with the person who received the next highest number of votes in the last election, as long as that person received at least 30 percent of the vote.
