Cherokee chief releases audit report before impeachment proceedings

CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — Impeachment proceedings are set to begin against Cherokee Principal Chief Patrick Lambert next week.

He denies allegations of violating Cherokee law and is fighting back. Lambert says the attempt to remove him from office is politically motivated by Tribal Council members who also sit on the Qualla Housing Authority Board.

Lambert asked the FBI to investigate alleged irregularities in the housing authority.

“It would appear there would be some kind of a conflict of interest if we've got an ongoing FBI investigation on the Qualla Housing Board for instance, of which six Tribal Council members sit on. And then all of a sudden they've jumped into this impeachment,” says Tribe Spokesman Chris McCoy.

Lambert is also releasing a draft report of an independent audit by RGL Forensics, allegedly finding previous Chief Michel Hicks and former Vice Chief Larry Blythe spent thousands in personal charges on Tribal credit cards.

“They came back with some serious findings, some things that need to be questioned,” says McCoy.

McCoy says Lambert favors disclosure of these reports, so there can be improvement in government.

“All he asks,” McCoy says, “is that the right thing be done and that we really get to the bottom of what's happened to this Tribe, and that we get some resolution for the people.”

Lambert took to Facebook saying he'll fight “head on” but may “potentially pay the ultimate political price.”

No criminal charges have been filed.

Attempts to contact Tribal Council Chairman Bill Taylor, who favors Lambert's impeachment, and former Principal Chief Michel Hicks were unsuccessful.

Impeachment proceedings against Lambert are set for 10 a.m. Monday at the Tribal Council House.