Photo of Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon surfaced that showed him in front of a slot machine in Las Vegas.
By Arlyssa D. Becenti || The Arizona Republic
Navajo Nation Speaker Seth Damon has resigned after the Navajo Nation Naabikiytai Committee passed legislation Friday to place him on administrative leave without pay. The bill was set to go before full tribal council.
The legislation was introduced after a photo of Damon surfaced on social media that showed him in a Las Vegas casino appearing to be inebriated. He said he was on a family trip, not paid for by tribal funds, to support Native rodeo competitors.
In a statement, he apologized and, rather than deciding on whether he should step down, he said he would work with his colleagues to decide his fate as speaker.
“He owned up to the actions,” said Council Delegate Otto Tso, who sponsored the measure to discipline Damon. “He takes responsibility. We all know some action has to happen.”
