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Chairwoman resigns from tribal council amid controversy

Monday, Oct. 9, 2000 | 11:11 a.m.

MAYETTA, Kan. -- Mamie Rupnicki has resigned as chairwoman of the Prairie Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Council amid allegations that she abused power and failed to carry out her duties

Council members alleged Rupnicki used her power to accelerate a tribal court case involving her son, incurred unauthorized travel expenses, intimidated and abused tribal employees and tried to improperly impede a recall petition against her.

But Rupnicki denied wrongdoing. Rupnicki said an "unscrupulous attack" by tribal members against her and her family, as well as accusations that she had questionable negotiations with Harrah's Prairie Band Casino located on the reservation, had made the Indian nation a "laughing stock."

Council Vice Chairman Gary Mitchell last week said the Tribal Council was not alleging wrongdoing on the part of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas, and that Rupnicki's alleged contact with the Harrah's casino "is not currently one of the charges that are the basis for misconduct and removal" of Rupnicki.

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