Please read the comments in response to the resolution to eliminate Sault Tribe members from serving as jurors in the case against Bernard Bouschor.
By not allowing a member of the Sault Tribe to be judged by a jury of his peers do you feel that we are once again being discriminated against?
Are we being given the message that we are not responsible, that we are not fair, that we are not capable of recognizing justice and that we are not able to apply justice to one of our own?
Please respond. Your opinion is extremely important in this matter.
11 comments:
Well,I'm going to offer up a dissenting opinion. We as tribal members have a direct interest in Bouchour, because he is an elected tribal official. We elected him to office and he serves us.I don't believe this compliance ruling has anything to do with him or the general membership...being Indian. Were we allowed to sit on the jury, the likelihood is that it would prejudice the case and it then could be thrown out. So wholeheartedly support the tribe's legal department in putting this compliance resolution together. Bouchour will be tried before a jury of his peers,he is after all a citizen of this city, this state and this country, like all the rest of us. Thanks, Charles Forgrave
Recusing tribal members is a court order based on a Michigan procedure law. Usually used to prevent relatives from populating a jury pool, it is based on a Supreme Court ruling.
The tribal board can refuse to turn over the names of tribal members, but it would be in contempt of court and the case could be dismissed.
Bernard Bouschor filed to motion to recuse all tribal members in this matter.
Two things:
1. Sadly, this issue could have been done in our own courts. But because of past and current corruption by some (not all). Especially with decisions involving Bernard (including the one to let him run for board thus overriding a referendum set by the majority of tribal members). We simply cannot trust our own court system to handle a case like this. I personally have had information leaked out from the Sault Tribe court. At least two individuals who serve as judges in the Sault Tribe court system have previously been known as supporters of Bernard. Showing the loyalty during board meetings and planting campaign signs. One has been accused of child molesting. Does this sound like court system that can make a non biased judgment?
2. Yes, it was probably a good idea by the court to exclude members. Both Bernard supporters and non Bernard supporters could make the ruling less solid.
However, I am concerned with the opinions of non tribal members in the Sault area. I know many (including the Soo Evening News) have a favorable opinion of Bernard. Many believe he revitalized the Soo with the casinos (not knowing the corruption he has done). So in some ways I wish this case was being heard in another county, but I guess it's too late for that. I know of a few business men in the Sault who have spoke highly of Bernard. Hopefully those with a bias and cloudy opinion will be weeded out by the Sault Tribe’s lawyers in this case.
I hope members watch this case as it unfolds.
Word is Bernard when he looses (hopefully), he will say he is broke and cannot pay our tribal members the money he owes. Supposedly he recently tapped into his 401K (to prove how broke he was). But the bottom line for Bernard supporters. If he is that broke after making $800,000 per year for how many years? Then how can you ever say he is a good business man? Past Bernard supporters need to wake up!
Bernard is anything is probably shifting his money to off shore bank accounts and to other family members. And if he does do this, then money should be recouped from them. He needs to pay up or do some jail time like his buddy Fred.
I hope the facts speak for themselves and if they don't it's a perfect case for an appeal by a higher court.
This case is not about the money, its about ending corruption in our tribe. And Bernard has been at the top of the list for his corrupt activities such as this one.
The best choice would have been for this trial to be held in another county but as usual, the Sault Tribe is again held hostage by Bernard Bouschor.
When the decision to override the vote of the people and Bouschor was again allowed to run, that was the time that an uproar should have been heard across the Sault Tribe.
Whatever the outcome, this is what happens when citizens don't stand up against corruption. Excuses are a dime a dozen and the end result is when corruption reaches the top levels of society, forget trying to get rid of it. At that point, you can never feel safe or secure again.
As for the local non-Indian society who believes Bouschor did a fantastic job...imagine what could have been done with the multi-millions, or even in excess of a billion, that Bouschor lost.
Imagine how many jobs there could be in the E.U.P. if not for all the business losses with Bouschor at the helm, not to mention the losses due to greed and fraud.
We will never know what indifference has truly cost us, our elders and our children.
I believe that once again the members are getting sold out in the zeal to go after Bernard. Face it all, Aaron spent most of his time, and I believe all of his reports, slamming Bernard. We all had so much faith in Aaron and he wasted valuable time in his war with Bernard. Now the Board is selling out the members by violating the confidentiality of our membership lists in their battle against Bernard. How much more are we willing to sacrifice for this man. Look at the damage he has caused all of us. Just give him the boot. I do not support giving away our membership roster, but we risk losing the case unless we do. But the kicker here is that there is no guarantee we will even win !
No body will got to jail or serve time. Maybe just a judgment for Payment (no pun intended) and he just files bankruptcy....that's all! 2 years from now back on top!
It should be clear that this move is within his legal right.
So, what is within your legal right?
Why aren't members mobilizing and call for a picket?
Why aren't people going in public and demonstrating how the "trust" was broken by these thieves?
They conspired in secret....so not to get caught and not to be stopped.
Pass out copies of the transcript...where they admit to their deeds
Do what you think is within your rights.
Depose Fred Paquin inn regard to the offer Benard made him when he was passing out the 2.6 million.
Depose Cathy Abramson and ask why she didn't alert the tribal attorney or the BIA
Publish the transcript of the Communication Director, Human Resource Director and his co worker that aided in the deception.
Bring them into court and have them ex[plain why everything was done in secret.
Ask them to explain the entire process
It is not just Bernard who should have to pay, but those sleazoid attorneys who helped him rule with an iron fist, engage in his lousy and underhanded deals, and pull the wool over the eyes of the membership for years. Would not break my heart at all to see Janetta and Green have to fork over large sums of money.
I have been in law enforcement for over thirty one years. To set a jury, questions are asked to find bias, if found then he or she is removed, I find it improper to remove a group of people just because there maybe bias against the person in question. I feel this resolution is wrong but if it is a court order it must be followed. Question should be asked of our legal people why they allowed this to happen...Unit three tribal member...
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