Ramah, N.M. • A Navajo Nation official has been found not guilty of theft in the transfer of $6 million of Ramah Navajo Chapter funds to investment firms.
The Gallup Independent reports a Navajo Nation judge acquitted Ramah Navajo Chapter President David Jose of all charges Monday.
Jose was accused of unlawfully transferring the funds to firms in Arizona and California in February 2017.
His attorney, David Jordan, argued that Jose was executing the chapter's wishes and three chapter meetings were held on the matter.
The attorney said Jose did not "wrongfully possessed" the funds as if they were his own, so he could not be found guilty of theft.
Navajo Nation prosecutor Brandon Bitsui did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment Monday.