Special Prosecutor Files Ethics Complaint Against Navajo President Nygren

Special Prosecutor Kyle T. Nayback filed a formal ethics complaint in Navajo Nation District Court on November 21, 2025, accusing President Buu Nygren of multiple violations of the Navajo Nation Ethics in Government Law. The complaint alleges conduct spanning from January 2023 to May 2025 and requests a court hearing to consider the accusations and potential remedies under Navajo law.

The filing lists several specific allegations. It claims that travel purchase cards were used for family lodging and meals, and that staff were directed to conceal those charges by mislabeling family members as official staff and falsifying travel documents. The complaint also alleges the improper hiring of a relative to a political at will position, including altering application materials and ignoring qualification requirements. In addition, it asserts that staff were directed to perform domestic and personal duties outside the scope of official responsibilities.

Under the remedies sought in the complaint, the Special Prosecutor asks the court to consider removal from office, disqualification from holding office for five years, forfeiture of compensation, a public reprimand, and restitution. These remedies reflect the Navajo Nation code provisions invoked by the prosecutor and signal the seriousness of the allegations in a legal context where tribal sovereignty and internal ethics rules govern accountability.

For residents of McKinley County the case carries immediate and practical implications. Many county residents live on or next to Navajo Nation land and depend on coordination between tribal and county authorities for health care, education, infrastructure projects, and emergency services. Allegations that involve public funds, personnel decisions, and misuse of official resources could affect trust in local institutions and the continuity of ongoing programs. A court hearing and any subsequent decisions may produce changes in leadership or interim arrangements that alter how services are coordinated at the local level.

The complaint now moves into the judicial phase. The Navajo Nation District Court will determine whether to set a hearing, and if so the schedule and evidentiary process that will follow. Tribal courts operate under Navajo law and have established procedures for adjudicating ethics matters. Outcomes could be appealed within tribal judicial channels, and any final ruling would shape standards for conduct in Navajo Nation governance going forward.

This matter underscores the intersection of tribal sovereignty, ethical standards, and community governance. Local officials and residents can expect further announcements from the Navajo Nation courts and from tribal administration regarding the timing of hearings and any interim measures. Observers in McKinley County with an interest in accountability and service continuity should follow official court notices and tribal communications as the case proceeds.