WINDOW ROCK, NAVAJO NATION – The Office of the Prosecutor, through the White Collar Crime Unit, announces that former Tsayatoh Chapter Accounts Maintenance Specialist, Roberta Silversmith, pleaded guilty to sixteen counts of fraud. The maximum penalty for a single violation of fraud is 365 days’ imprisonment and/or a fine of $5,000.

On March 22, the Navajo Nation filed sixteen criminal complaints charging Silversmith with fraud. The Navajo Nation detailed in the criminal complaints that Defendant Silversmith, while serving as the Tsayatoh Chapter AMS, devised a scheme where she issued sixteen checks to her son who never worked at the chapter between June 2016 and Jan. 2017. She then deposited the checks into her son’s account and then transferred the check amount into her own personal bank account. The total amount taken by the Defendant was just over $11,340.

On Aug. 19, Silversmith was arraigned in the District Court of Window Rock before Judge Cynthia Thompson. Silversmith pleaded guilty to all the charges. The District Court accepted Silversmith’s guilty pleas, notified the parties that Defendant’s sentencing will be at a later date, and ordered the Probation Officer to complete a pre-sentence report with recommendations. The prosecutor notified the court that he would file a sentencing recommendation.

The investigation was handled by the Office of the Prosecutor’s White Collar Crime Unit Senior Investigator Frank Brown and prosecuted by Attorney Brandon K. Bitsuie.

To protect the Nation from such crimes, a Fraud Hotline has been created to accept tips and complaints about potential waste, fraud, and abuse of Navajo Nation programs. Professional staff are standing by to review information provided by phone to 1-844-747-2767 or by email at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

BLACK MESA, Ariz. – The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency announced Aug. 23 that its Criminal Enforcement Department is working to address a case of illegal trash dumping in the community of Black Mesa, Ariz., which is in violation of the Navajo Nation Solid Waste Act, and will seek prosecution of the perpetrators.

Navajo Nation EPA Executive Director Oliver Whaley stated that a report of illegal dumping was recently made to the EPA’s Western Navajo Agency office by local residents, which was then investigated. The Navajo Nation EPA has since cleaned up the illegal dumping site, which consisted of household debris and garbage. While cleaning up the site, the officials were able to identify several alleged perpetrators using names found on the debris.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer commended the Navajo Nation EPA for addressing the situation and the community members for raising the concern with the EPA. They also cautioned that other similar offenses will be investigated to deter illegal trash dumping and to protect the environment. They also note the Nez-Lizer Administration is working diligently to develop a landfill for the Navajo Nation to help address the issue of illegal dumping.

“We’ve heard directly from many of our own people regarding their concerns over illegal dumping in many communities and many have called for the prosecution of offenders. In every community, we have children that play outdoors and families that use our land for events, ceremonies, and many other purposes – it’s important that we protect our lands and preserve them for these important uses,” President Nez stated. “This is a community driven effort to keep our lands clean and safe.”

Vice President Lizer said he is hopeful that the situation in Black Mesa will serve as a reminder to perpetrators that the Nation will pursue prosecution for illegal trash dumping.

“As leaders of the Nation, we also recognize that we have a responsibility to work with communities to develop waste disposal plans and options for residents, businesses, and others and that’s why we have tasked several of our Division Directors to develop a plan and timeline to develop a landfill for the Nation’s use,” said Vice President Lizer.

Navajo Nation Division of Community Development Executive Director Dr. Pearl Yellowman, Division of General Services Executive Director Lomardo Aseret, and Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director Oliver Whaley are working together to establish a landfill to properly dispose of solid waste and to promote recycling in communities on the Nation.

“While we are still addressing the issuing of providing more convenient places for people to legally dump their trash, we as a Nation, can no longer be afraid to turn a blind eye to illegal dumping,” stated Whaley.

Among other provisions, the Navajo Nation Solid Waste Act prohibits the disposal of “any solid waste in a manner that will harm the environment, endanger the public health, safety and welfare or create a public nuisance.

The Nez-Lizer Administration also encourages communities to be proactive in addressing illegal trashing dumping and to hold others accountable if this is occurring in your neighborhood. The public is encouraged to report illegal trash dumping by calling the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency at (928) 871-7692.

WINDOW ROCK – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and First Lady Phefelia Nez, along with Vice President Myron Lizer and members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council, joined Navajo Head Start students and employees Aug. 15, as they issued a proclamation to recognize Aug. 15 as “Navajo Head Start Day” in support of the Head Start Program’s services to Diné children in Early Head Start and the Head Start Programs.

Council Delegate Eugenia Charles Newton, Council Delegate Pernell Halona, and Navajo Nation Board of Education Vice President Priscilla B. Manuelito were also present for the special occasion.

Navajo Head Start is tasked with promoting school readiness of low-income children by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development in a learning environment that supports our children’s growth and also to provide encourage and to stimulate intellectual and social growth opportunities, and to promotes Navajo language and culture.

President Nez extended his gratitude to the many parents and grandparents who were also in attendance to support the students and program, as well as the teachers and aides for their hard work and dedication.

“Our children are the key to our future as Diné people. They are our most precious resource, so I extend my appreciation to all of the Head Start employees, teachers, administrators, and most importantly to the parents and elders who help nurture our children,” said President Nez.

Vice President Lizer also spoke in support of Navajo youth as he, President Nez, and First Lady Nez visited with the students and parents at the Head Start central office.

During the event, President Nez also signed Navajo Nation Council resolution CJY-28-19, allowing the Navajo Nation Head Start Program to use supplemental funds, previously appropriated, to pay past due bills and other debts. The legislation was approved by the 24th Navajo Nation Council by a vote of 18-0.

President Nez and Vice President Lizer called for Navajo Head Start to hold themselves accountable for being fiscally responsible and improving the efficiency of the program, while also offering the support of the Nez-Lizer Administration to continue addressing these issues.

“Enrollment is always a major concern, but we understand that everyone needs to work together to improve the program. We need to be positive and work toward solutions that ultimately benefit the students and teachers in the classrooms,” added President Nez.

Prior to the signing of the proclamation and resolution, the Navajo Head Start students and teacher participated in a school bus parade around the capital of the Navajo Nation, as their parents and loved ones parked along the parade route to support the children.

The Nez-Lizer Administration thanks Navajo Head Start for their continued support and contributions to our Navajo students.