Rosebud leader ousted from office

By Natasha D. Bordeaux, Journal Staff Writer | Friday, July 04, 2003

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ROSEBUD -- Allegations of ethics violations involving a business transaction with Rosebud Casino prompted the removal of Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council Rep. Tez Duysac from public office on Monday, tribal officials said.

The council's decision came during a special public hearing of the tribal council that was presided over by Rosebud Sioux Tribal Judge Sherman Marshall. The vote to remove Duysac was 16-2. Duysac was the representative for District 7, the Grass Mountain and Upper Cut Meat area.

The initial complaint, submitted by Rosebud Sioux Tribal member Alfred Bone Shirt, alleged that Duysac used his position as a council member to persuade the Rosebud Casino Hotel gift shop to buy 750 music CDs at a cost of $8,625 from his company, Sicangu Dreams Entertainment. Bone Shirt further alleged that Duysac delivered only 100 of the 750 CDs.

A letter from Acting General Manager Adrian Mirabueno detailing the transaction and copies of the checks and invoices were presented as evidence, along with witness testimony.

Dana Hannah, attorney general for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, said Duysac participated in the proceedings. He said the council will appoint a replacement for Duysac.

Duysac said his removal from office was a politically motivated attempt to silence his whistle-blowing on administrative corruption. He said he will appeal the decision.

"My rights to due process were violated at every juncture. All of the above allegations against me were proved to be false during the hearing," Duysac said.

Duysac said Rosebud Casino Hotel gift-shop manager Brian Burnette testified at the hearing that the "undelivered" CDs were all accounted for at the gift shop. He also claims that Mirabueno and Burnette both testified that the transaction was not a result of intimidation but was "a business decision" that would make a substantial profit for the gift shop.

Official minutes from the hearing were unavailable.

"There is nothing that prohibits a tribal council member from doing business with an entity of the tribe," Duysac said. "(It) is a common practice. In addition to appealing my removal to the tribal council, over the next two weeks, I will be preparing information and supporting documentation that will show that at least a majority of those people who voted for my removal are also doing business with entities of the tribe."