Ex-Navajo lawmaker to be sentenced in tribal slush fund case

DILKON, Ariz. (AP) – A sentencing hearing is set Wednesday for a former Navajo Nation lawmaker who pleaded guilty to misusing tribal funds.

Young Jeff Tom is the first of more than a dozen former and current lawmakers to be sentenced in criminal cases stemming from a yearslong investigation into the Tribal Council’s use of discretionary funds.

Tom had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in February. He faces up to six months in jail and probation. He also could be ordered to repay up to $13,750, the amount he was accused of misusing.

Tom said in court documents that he conspired with five former colleagues to provide tribal funds to each other’s family members, even though he knew it was illegal.

He’ll be sentenced in the tribe’s district court in Dilkon.