Ho-Chunk Nation v. Lang

2 Am. Tribal Law 233
CourtHo-Chunk Nation Trial Court
DecidedApril 1, 1999
DocketNo. CV 98-46
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 2 Am. Tribal Law 233 (Ho-Chunk Nation v. Lang) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Ho-Chunk Nation v. Lang, 2 Am. Tribal Law 233 (hochunkct 1999).

Opinion

[234]*234JUDGMENT

JOAN GREENDEER-LEE, Associate Judge.

The Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court convened a Trial in the Ho-Chunk Nation v. Tammy Lang in Black River Falls, WI, February 12, 1999. Notices of the trial were sent to the parties on February 1, 1999. William Boulware, Department of Justice Counsel for Ho-Chunk Nation, and [235]*235Christine Raven-Kerry, HCN Headstart Director, were present and appeared as plaintiff to the suit. The defendant, Tammy Lang, did not appear to defend herself at Trial.1 The Court hereby finds IN FAVOR of the plaintiff on defendant’s civil conversion of tribal Headstart monies and defendant’s failure to commit to fulfilling her fiduciary duties to the Nation and therefore, relief is granted for all monies misappropriated by the defendant, plus attorney’s fees.

APPLICABLE LAW

Ho-Chunk Nation Constitution

ART I, Section 2. Jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the Ho-Chunk Nation shall extend to all territory set forth in Section 1 of this Article and to any and all persons or activities therein, based upon the inherent sovereign authority of the Nation and the People or upon Federal law.
ART VII, Section 5.(a) Jurisdiction of the Judiciary. The Trial Court shall have original jurisdiction over all cases and controversies, both criminal and civil, in law or in equity, arising under the Constitution, laws, customs and traditions of the Ho-Chunk Nation, including cases in which the Ho-Chunk N ation, or its officials and employees, shall be a party. Any such case or controversy arising within the jurisdiction of the Ho-Chunk Nation shall be filed in Trial Court before it is filed in any other court. This grant of jurisdiction by the General Council shall not be construed to be a waiver of the Nation’s sovereign immunity.
ART XII, Section 1. Immunity of Nation from Suit. The Ho-Chunk Nation shall be immune from suit except to the extent that the Legislature expressly waives its sovereign immunity, and officials and employees of the Ho-Chunk Nation acting within the scope of their duties or authority shall be immune from suit.
ART XII, Section 2. Suit Against Officials a/nd Employees. Officials and employees of the Ho-Chunk Nation who act beyond the scope of their duties or authority shall be subject to suit in equity only for declaratory and non-monetary injunctive relief in Tribal Court by persons subject to its jurisdiction for purposes of enforcing rights and duties established by this constitution or other applicable laws.

Ho-Chunk Rule of Civil Procedures

Rule' 5(C)(1). Personal Service. The required papers are delivered to the party in person by the bailiff, or when authorized by the Court, a law enforcement officer from any jurisdiction, or any other person not a party to the action who is eighteen (18) years of age or older. Personal Service is required from the initiation of actions in the following (a) Relief requested is over $5,000.00, excluding the enforcement of foreign child support orders.

Ho-Ciiunk Nation Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual, (September 14, 1995 Edition) [hereinafter HCN Personnel Manual] Chapter 12, Employment Conduct, Discipline, and Administrative Review

Security and. Confidentiality, p. 42

It is the policy of the HoChunk Nation to maintain strict control over entrance to the premises, access to work locations [236]*236and records, computer information, and cash or other items of monetary value. Employees who are assigned keys, given special access, or assigned job responsibilities in connection with the safety, security, or confidentiality of such records, material, equipment, or items of monetary or business value will be required to use sound judgment and discretion in carrying out their duties, and will be accountable for any wrongdoing or acts of indiscretion.

Conflicts of Interest, p. 44

Employees will not allowed to solicit, obtain, accept, or retain any personal benefit from any supplier, vendor, customer, client, etc., or any individual or organization doing or seeking business with the Ho-Chunk Nation.

B. Behavior, p. 45^46

I. Willful or negligent violation of the Personnel Policies and Procedures, unit operating rules, or related directives.
3. Engaging in a conflict of interest activity.
4. Conduct that discredits the employee or the Nation, or willful misrepresentation of the Nation.
6. Knowingly falsifying, removal, or destruction of information related to employment, payroll, or work related records or reports.
II. Unauthorized removal or use of any Tribal property, or that of its clients, customers, or agents.

C. Performance, p. 47

6. Careless, negligent, or improper use of Tribal property, equipment or funds, including unauthorized removal, or use of private purposes, or use involving damage or unreasonable risk of damage to property.
8. Misuse of authority of position for personal gain.
9. Embezzlement of tribal funds or property.

Revised Head Start Program Performance Standards (November 5, 1996)

1304.50(g)(2) Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that appropriate internal controls are established and implemented to safeguard Federal funds in accordance with 45 CFR 1301.13.

General Principles for Determining Allowable Costs, Circular No. A-87, Attachment A

A.l. The principles are designed to provide that Federal awards bear their fair share of cost recognized under these principles except where restricted or prohibited by law.
A.2.a.
1. Governmental units are responsible for the efficient and effective administration of Federal awards through the application of sound management practices.
2. Governmental units assume responsibility for administering Federal funds in a manner consistent with underlying agreements, program objectives, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.
3. Each governmental unit, in recognition of its own unique combination of staff, facilities, and experience, will have the primary responsibility for employing whatever form of organization and management techniques may be necessary to assure proper and efficient administration of Federal awards.

Wisconsin Winnebago Nation Financial Procedures Manual (November 13, 1992)

If the planned expenditure exceeds $500.00 or 10% of the line item a Pur[237]*237chase Request will be forwarded to Finance for sign-off that funds are available before the procurement or obligation is made.

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Related

Ho-Chunk Nation v. Money Centers of America, Inc.
9 Am. Tribal Law 308 (Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court, 2010)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
2 Am. Tribal Law 233, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/ho-chunk-nation-v-lang-hochunkct-1999.