THE HOUSE OF CARDS IS COMING DOWN

For almost three decades several tribal members were relentless in trying to bring justice to the Sault Tribe and the names of those who never hesitated to speak against the corruption is endless.

During this long process, several tribal members lost their jobs for their part and many suffered financial devastation in the name of ‘Retaliation Against Whistleblowers‘.

Through the years, fearless tribal members and employees continued to protest against Bouschor and his questionable acts of greed and corruption which included talks with the FBI on numerous occasions. The rumors that money was being sent to locations such as the Cayman Islands, Netherlands, Canada and even Las Vegas continued to flow through the tribal grapevines. Some would talk but were fearful of going too far only to be discredited by the inability to produce necessary documentation to back up their claims and the price for blowing the whistle was not something that anyone wanted to pay.

Although we can’t forget those who put everything on the line to expose the corruption, it wasn’t until the election of 2004 that we got our first big break. Aaron Payment and Todd Gravelle teamed up to run for seats on the board. During the election, Gravelle called on an acquaintance to assist the tribe. Steve Morello brought with him Ernie Walker and the new team put together a plan to ensure a fair and honest election. For the first time in years, the Sault Tribe had a new chairman, but while the votes were being counted Bernard Bouschor was preparing the final plans to rip off the tribe for 2.7 million dollars to pay off his team of key associates.

When it was discovered that checks written against the Sault Tribe were clearing, Morello advised specific actions to take place that started the infamous 2.7 plus 2 lawsuit against Bernard Bouschor. At a meeting, Gravelle, whose hope was to bring the tribe back to its roots of helping each other, made the motion to sue Bernard Bouschor and the 7+2 to retrieve the 2.7 million taken from the tribe. Another attorney, William Horton, filed the necessary documents and took on what seemed to be the impossible…taking down Bernard Bouschor and bringing justice to the members of the Sault Tribe.

This team fought the majority of the Sault Tribe board who fought back with every conceivable corruptive act they had up their sleeves. Payment and Gravelle lost in an election that most feel was corrupted, as usual, and Morello and Walker were also forced to leave. But the weight of the corruptive forces holding the Sault Tribe members hostage never left their resolve to bring justice to the tribe.

Today, thousands of Sault Tribe members have something to cheer about. The promises have been kept and the lawsuit that many board members wanted to drop is now almost over. First the corrupt police chief, Fred Paquin, has been arrested and now Bernard Bouschor will be held personally responsible for at least 2.7 million but likely a lot more. Two and half times plus legal fees could now be the final knockdown for the Bouschor House of Cards.

Finally, there is justice for the Sault Tribe and its members and a celebration will follow in due time.

MI Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Plaintiff – Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

January 28, 2010

In case of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. Bernard Bouschor; and Miller Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.; Daniel T. Green; Paul W. Shagen; Joseph M. Paczkowski; David E. Scott; Jolene M. Nertoli; James M. Jannetta; Daniel J. Weaver, jointly and severally

C/A Case No.: 276712 – L/C Case No.: 04-7606-CC

Lansing, MI – Today, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in the so-called 7+1+1 case which was originally filed in Chippewa County (50th Circuit Court) but presented to Judge Charles Johnson, 57th Circuit Court, in Emmet County as visiting judge when Judge Lambros recused himself.

At the lower court level, Judge Johnson ruled back in 2007, that the defendants were not terminated, that Bouschor did not have the authority to grant severances (in the amount exceeding $2.66 million), and that contrary to Bouschor’s claim, Bouschor did not hold ‘executive immunity’ a status typically held for State Governors or the President of the United States. This latter filing by Bouschor is what qualified the defendants for an automatic appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals and has delayed the case since the initially filing in 2004. At that level, the MI Court of Appeals threw out the legal malpractice and conspiracy claim.

The MI Supreme Court’s ruling today reinstates the Sault Tribe’s complaint with regard to malpractice and may qualify the Sault Tribe for injunctive relief to recover not only the amount Bouschor and defendants conspired to take on election night of 2004, but also ‘treble damages’ which is up to three times the amount. Given the Tribe filed jointly and severally, once a final judgment is granted (possibly via a summary disposition given there now appear to be no facts in dispute) there may not even be a need to go to trial at the district court level. Judge Johnson could, instead, rule in the Tribe’s favor and award damages and legal fees.

In the Supreme Court’s ruling, the justices ruled that Bernard Bouschor did not have executive immunity and as such, reinforced Judge Johnson’s earlier ruling that Bouschor is individually liable in this case. If Judge Johnson does not grant a summary disposition judgment, the case will go to trial in the 50th Circuit Court with Judge Johnson presiding as visiting judge. In a prepared statement, former Chairperson Aaron Payment said,

“With all of the legal wrangling by Bouschor and the defendants over the last 5 ½ years, it is no wonder tribal members are dispirited. The rulings by the MI Supreme Court and the prosecution of Paquin give tribal members hope that the rule of law will prevail and justice will be served. Those who would steal from their own people, need to be held accountable. Maybe 2010 will be the year of tribal justice!

SUPREME COURT RULING HERE

Update on Elderly Tribal Member

Recently a 92 year old Sault Tribe elderly lady whose mobility is confined to a wheeled walker and wheelchair had her Sault Tribe caregiver removed by the Elder Care director, Holly Kibble. According to the Elder, Kibble also threatened to terminate the worker if the employee's sister continued as the woman's only other caregiver but no logical reason was given to the Elder for the action that left her in extreme danger. Just a couple of months ago the Elder had fallen and spent the better part of a long night on her bedroom floor and she has been twice hospitalized since then.

The caregivers sister (who was not an employee of the tribe) did quit to protect her sibling from termination of her employment with the Sault Tribe, and a new caregiver that is not employed by the tribe has been hired to care for the woman but the woman is very concerned that her long-time caregiver will be fired by Kibble. What does Kibble have to gain by her negligence and unfair treatment of this tiny little woman with a heart of gold?

The responses to the decisions that placed this elderly person in danger have been heartwarming but the question remains why Kibble and the Sault Tribe Chairman and Board of Directors put this Elder's life in jeopardy. How many more failures and how much more unfair treatment can members of the Sault Tribe take?!

Plan for Greektown bankruptcy approved.

Jaclyn Trop / The Detroit News

Judge OKs move that ends tribe as casino owners.

A plan approved Friday to lead Greektown Casino out of bankruptcy protection will repay most creditors and strip ownership from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Judge Walter Shapero of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit confirmed the plan, pending state and city approvals on other issues that must be obtained by June 30. The plan, the third proposal since Greektown filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2008, was approved by creditors last week.

"Greektown Casino is now approaching the finish line for its exit from bankruptcy," said Charles Moore, the casino's lead restructuring adviser with Conway MacKenzie Inc. in Birmingham.


From The Detroit News:

View my new Forum!

Lynne Weaver FindTalk.net

SAULT TRIBE BOARD TORMENTS 92 YEAR OLD ELDER

The daughter of Fred Hatch senior, the man who began the arduous process of seeking federal acknowledgement for the Sault Tribe, feels she is being tormented by the Sault Tribe Board of Directors and Holly Kibble, director of the Eldercare program. Incidently, Kibble is the sister of Hope Schlehuber who was recently arrested by the FBI along with Fred Paquin and his daughter.

Kibble who says her actions are supported by the Sault Tribe Chairman and Board of Directors has laid down her own set of laws that has left a physically disabled 92 year old woman alone to fend for herself. The elder who has numerous health problems has become the unlikely target for reasons no one can define. Her demise began when she found herself unable to find a home healthcare provider that she could afford who would not only bathe and dress her but also assist in other things that we all take for granted such as meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, shopping as well as perform other simple duties such as bill paying that she is unable to perform for herself.

One caregiver who is employed by Sault Tribe Elder Care has been with the elderly woman for 10 years but her schedule only allows her to visit the woman for a few hours a week. When the elderly tribal member found herself without a caregiver, a relative of the Sault Tribe employee offered to go to work for the woman. Even though this person is solely employed by the elderly person, her wages are not supplemented in any way by the tribe and she is not connected to the tribe in any way, Kibble told the tribally employed caregiver that her relative was not allowed to work for the elderly lady and the employee would be fired if it continued. Remember, this is a privately employed person who is being threatened that if she continues to care for the 92 year old that her relative would be fired from her employment with the tribe. Rather then risking her relative's employment the privately employed caregiver was forced to quit leaving the elderly woman alone. Then Kibble told the caregiver employed by the tribe that she was being removed as the elders only remaining caregiver which now leaves the elderly 92 year old woman completely alone with no one to assist her.

The elderly lady first contacted Kibble to ask her why she was doing this to her but Kibble replied that the Sault Tribe Board of Directors ordered the action. The elder then made a phone call to Chairman Joe McCoy for assistance in this matter but was denied. Two directors were also contacted by the elderly Sault Tribe member but they also denied her any assistance. Why would Kibble, Chairman McCoy and the Board of Directors intrude upon the safety of an elderly tribal member whose family history has been so important to the tribe? Why are they trying to interfere with the safety and well-being of this poor lady?

When it was suggested by a friend of the elder that she write a letter to the board she said she just didn't have the strength after all she had been through so that's where I come in. The Board of Directors and the Chairman are already aware of the problem according to Kibble so bypassing them is the only option left.

Are grant funds used to support the Eldercare program? It's time for a deeper investigation in the use of grant funds by the Sault Tribe and there is no better time than now for this to happen.

Fred Paquin Bond Conditions and Order.

Paquin has a "$5000 unsecured bond (attached here), must surrender his passport, no contact with witnesses, no travel, cannot possess a firearm and must reside in the Upper Peninsula at all times, but for visits to his legal counsel in Cheboygan." It certainly would be interesting to see who he spends his limited freedom with.

Lana Causley's anger in defense of Fred Paquin

Click here to hear Lana Causley's anger in defense of Fred Paquin.
Note to self...from anonymous: Maybe the Dept of Health and Human Services would be interested in more misappropriated fund information along with some ANA grant info...about 800K more.

Former Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment stated,

“Justice dictates that anyone who conspired to commit or allow criminal activity, be investigated and brought to justice. That includes Tribal Board members and Tribal administrators if necessary. No one should be immune.”

While the Tribe’s government should have been vigilant in protecting the Tribe’s assets, several Council members acted to shield Paquin from discipline including overturning his termination in October 2007 and by returning Paquin from employment suspension during the federal criminal probe days before he allegedly attempted to destroy evidence”, Payment added.

Payment concluded, “under the Sault Tribe’s current structure of government, no separation of powers exists to effectively hold individuals of such crimes responsible.. A separation of powers, with a separate judicial branch and an elected inspector general are desperately needed. Paquin’s impending indictments clearly demonstrate this.

NEXT UP....NEW ELECTION COMMITTEE

Several witnesses at the last election remember the large mysterious bag and backpack that left the table where ballots were sorted while the election director looked the other way. Counts for certain individuals suddenly took a very strange turn.
Bernard Bouschor found his way back on the board after a secretarial election determined he would never again get a chance to hold a seat on the board but that didn't stop the tribes judicial system, who answers to the Board of Directors, from ordering Bouschors name to be placed on the ballot. TIMES UP for this election committee and the director of the committee which is also appointed by the board.

A crooked police chief, questionable elections, bankruptcy and mysterious increases in revenue once the tribal board is out of the operation of Greektown....what is it going to take to stop the corruption?

From 0 to 60....years that is!

Fred Paquin is looking at spending the rest of his natural life in a federal prison and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving guy.

That may actually be a premature statement depending on who is next and I have no doubts that there will be more to follow.

We wanted a 'clean sweep'to remove the corruption and 2010 looks like it might be the year to do just that.

Fred Paquin arrested on 12 federal criminal indictments

BREAKING NEWS

Former Sault Tribe Chief of Police Fred Paquin arrested on 12 federal criminal indictments. Source report that both Paquin and his daughter Mary Cullen were arrested yesterday in St. Ignace and transported to U.S. District Court in Marquette for process and possibly held without bond. The actual indictment document is attached.

This news comes on the heels of the announcement by the City of St. Ignace who received hired Fred Paquin as their Chief of Police despite being under federal criminal investigation which resulted in the 12 indictments and since it was clearly known by St. Ignace that Paquin was named as a co-conspiritor in a federal indictment handed down on 12-23-09 for which Paquin's former secretary acknowledge both her role and Paquin's role in committing these crimes.

Download 47 page pdf here.

Story ran in the Sault Evening News on 1-20-2010

REMEMBER THIS...?

St. Ignace News...Front Page...May 10, 2007
"A secretarial election to poll members about the proposed amendment was conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and called for by Todd K. Gravelle, Unit I board representative. He said concerns about corruption led him to ask the board for a membership vote about the issue six times."

"...it appears I have a lot of support within my unit," Mr. Paquin (former Sault Tribe police chief) said. "But this takes a choice away from the voter. If the voters want to vote for somebody - and they know where we are employed - it is their right to do so. I have never been involved in a conflict of interest. If [a board decision] involves law enforcement, I don't vote, I step back..."

BAD DADDY

More news....a source has just delivered the news that the former Sault Tribe Police Chief has yet another accomplice in his scheme to rob the Sault Tribe. It has been reported that Paquin's own daughter is accompanying him on a surprise trip to face seperate charges in federal court.
A very loooong two years have passed since it was first reported that Paquin's daughter was collecting a nice paycheck from the Sault Tribe for a non-existent job created by "daddy". The clock is still ticking loudly for those anxiously waiting for the next dominoe to fall. tick, Tick, TICK....

FRED PAQUIN ARRESTED?!

Two interesting emails arrived in my mailbox just a few momemts ago.

One stated that Fred Paquin, former Sault Tribe Police Chief, was named as the new St. Ignace Police Chief followed immediately by one announcing that Fred Paquin "will have a hard time accepting this position from the backseat of the police car he is riding in right now on his way to Marquette! He was arrested along with his daughter within the last few hours by the FBI."

Just days ago, Paquin was implicated in a series of crimes against the Sault Tribe that includes fraud and embezzlement. Anyone that knows Paquin is expecting him to do whatever is necessary to shorten boyfriend time in the federal penitentiary. Whose next?

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“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive”

Sir Walter Scott

"Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairman Aaron Payment, with tribal board member Todd Gravelle, has called in federal investigators in response to an anonymous e-mail Mr. Gravelle received that alleged "budgetary improprieties" in the police department...Police Chief Fred Paquin says the investigation and his suspension are politically motivated."

"I am cooperating fully with the investigation, because there is nothing to hide,"

St Ignace news Read Here

"Mistakes remember'd are not faults forgot."

Robert Henry Newell

Nov. 2007
"Sault Tribe Police Chief, Fred Paquin will continue to serve as the chief of police for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the tribal council agreed at a special meeting Tuesday, November 13...Mr. Paquin will remain on paid suspension while he awaits a trial on a charge of simple assault against a tribal woman..."

"Unit 1 representative Todd Gravelle cast the lone dissenting vote and told The St. Ignace News he believes there is sufficient evidence against Mr. Paquin in the assault case to fire him. He said the board should have discussed and voted on whether Mr. Paquin should be terminated, not just on who had authority to hire and fire."

St Ignace news Read Here

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...

It's getting so tribal members are characterizing their board members as complicit and compromised...

We have director Bouchour who is / was or whatever suing Greektown for back wages of a million or two or three, and whom the tribe is suing $ 2,600,000.00 for unauthorized payouts.

Former board member and tribal police chief Paquin named by the FBI as a co-conspirator in a fraud case involving the tribe's Law Enforcement Department...and named for allegedly assaulting a female tribal member, wherever that case stands.

Board members Hoffman and McKelvie orchestrating the reinstatement of Paquin as the tribal police chief after he was suspended pending an investigation, even before the investigation gets off the ground and coldly turning their backs on the alleged victim...despite overwhelming evidence.

Board member Causley fingered for making false statements about her tribal membership status while applying for a grant for the Mackinaw Band. And, throwing in with Hoffman and McKelvie in reinstating Paquin...putting politics before the welfare of a tribal member.

Board members Chase and Rickley and Massaway and Miller and Bouschor all working part time for the tribe, and full time at other work...soaking up a hefty $67,000.00 for attending a few meetings.

Chairman McCoy caught up in the minor misdemeanors of drinking and driving and...fighting.

Director Abramson just getting along with everybody in between her forays to the nation's capital and all places in between and accomplishing very little if anything...other than sustaining her own longevity. Oh yes, throwing in with McKelvie and Hoffman and Causley on the reinstatement of Paquin.

Wow, what a wonderful board. What a wonderful cadre of loyal and dedicated civil servants members have working for them...aren't the members blessed.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

U.S. Court / Police Chief Paquin Co-conspirator

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...The U.S. District Court has handed down an indictment for Hope Schlehuber, administrative assistant to former Sault Tribe Police Chief and board member Fred Paquin.

The Court has charged Ms. Schlehuber of conspiring with the former Chief of Police Paquin to defraud the U.S. Government of grant monies...disbursed to the tribe's Law Enforcement Department.

In a plea bargain with the court, Ms. Schlehuber agreed to cooperate fully with the F.B.I. and has thrown herself at the mercy of the court, waving jury and appeal rights in exchange for leniency.

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...In handing down an indictment on fraud charges for Law Enforcement Department administrative assistant to the Tribal Police of Chief, Hope Schlehuber, the U.S. District Court had named the former Sault Tribe Police Chief, Fred Paquin, as a co-conspirator.

While no indictment papers are available at the time of this writing, tribal watchdogs' fully expect to see them and have them in hand sometime in the near future.


Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Tribal voters will have an opportunity to set things right this spring where board members D.J. Hoffman and Dennis McKelvie are concerned.

Both directors allied themselves with former Police Chief Paquin a couple of years ago when it was alleged he assaulted a female tribal member.

In doing so they insisted upon his reinstatement after his dismissal by former Chairman Aaron Payment pending an investigation while they coldly turned their backs on the victim and her family.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

THE BIGGER THEY ARE, THE HARDER THEY FALL

Fast Freddie fingered by partner in crime....more to come very soon. Read here

UNDERPANTS BOMBER ARRAIGNED TODAY IN DETROIT

The 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, who will be forever known as the “Underpants Bomber” will be arraigned in Detroit today after trying to blow up a plane on a Detroit-bound flight on Christmas Day. As anyone can imagine, there are lots of mixed feelings that surround the fate of this ‘good-boy-gone-bad’.

Should he be tried under military court proceedings or brought before the people of the USA as he will be in Detroit? Should he have three defenders paid for by US taxpayers or not be allowed a defense if no other funding becomes available for him? Some believe his wealthy family should pay but his father already took extraordinary measures to protect world citizens from the wrath of his son’s involvement with the terrorist Al Qaeda group. Who would know better about changes in a person’s activities more than a parent, but the agency that took the information failed to take it seriously enough. Obviously the father was not a random victim of paranoia who believes the world is coming to an end, but a concerned parent who wanted to do the right thing.

Not being an expert on military proceedings, I withhold any opinions as to which system would be better suited to bring justice to those hundreds who almost lost their lives if not for the failed attempt to blow innocent people to bits. I kind of like the idea that he will be tried by American citizens rather than tucked away under the cloak of a military court. We got ourselves a real live terrorist that we can make an example of and be a part of his demise. Personally, I don’t mind seeing my tax dollars really stand for something as magnanimous as this case will be.

With so much worldwide publicity this will get, Detroit may actually benefit in a big way. Hotels, restaurants and retail shops should get ready for the influx of reporters, federal officials and agents and even movie producers who may be ready to start planning for the next big film.

All told, sometimes bad things actually do have good endings such as this should turn out to be.

Lynne Weaver

SENTENCED TO DEATH BY DISENROLLMENT

Barry Adams, Sault Tribe Elder, was refused treatment at the Lambert Center in St. Ignace. The reason....he had been disenrolled but not informed. Barry has had strokes and heart attacks that required regular care.

Earlier this summer, Barry threw a net into the Straits of Mackinac to take a stand as a member of the Mackinac Tribe, one of several groups who are seeking seperate federal recognition from the Sault Tribe.

Only 17,000 more Mackinac Band members to go...