Liz Gray/Managing Editor
Jerrad Moore/Assignment Editor
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – Since the May 24 press release made by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council detailing the actions taken against Okfuskee District Representative Travis Scott, Mvskoke Media has been attempting to gain information on the details of the allegations.
During an Emergency Session held May 22, National Council voted to take the following actions against Scott.: letter of reprimand from Speaker Randall Hicks, public censure by National Council resolution, monetary fine of $50,000, cessation of National Council compensation, and expulsion from all session of the National Council and all committee meetings and any ex-officio appointments.
A motion was also made on the floor to initiate removal proceedings against Scott and called for his immediate resignation.
Mvskoke Media filed a Freedom of Information Act request June 14 to National Council for any and all documents related to the censure, expulsion, and fining of Rep. Scott. It was denied citing that material from executive sessions and matters not introduced for consideration in a public meeting are excluded and records compiled for law enforcement purposes. Attorney-client information was also cited as to why the records could not be released.
MCN Attorney General was then contacted due to the fact that the records were denied because they were compiled for law enforcement purposes to ascertain whether Rep. Scott was being investigated or will be charged with a crime.
The MCN AG Roger Wiley stated that his office does not make public disclosure of investigations.
A resolution, NCR 21-006, was passed by National Council June 26 during regular session publicly censuring Rep. Scott.
The resolution elaborated that the National Council Fact-Finding and Investigations Committee conducted a thorough investigation which determined that Rep. Scott, owner of Scott’s Native Products violated MCN Code Annotated Title 37 section 4-101 which forbids any officer or employee of the Nation from entering into business contracts or doing business with the Nation.
Mvskoke Media sent a series of questions June 30 to Principal Chief David Hill to find out what business or contracts Rep. Scott’s business had with the Nation.
After not receiving a response, a FOIA request for any documents related to the businesses were filed on July 20th, the Executive Branch now has 20 business days from the date of filing to respond.
MCNCA Title 31 Chapter 1 under ‘Principles of procedure’ states, “The National Council initiates impeachment proceedings by majority vote authorizing a National Council Directive instructing a Special Prosecutor, chosen by the National Council, to convene a Special Impeachment Committee…”
Mvskoke Media contacted National Council via email about the Directive required by MCN Code after a July 6 Emergency Session included engagement of a special prosecutor and special impeachment committee selection on the agenda.
In their emailed response, impeachment proceedings were confirmed to be initiated at the May 22 Emergency Session with the following:
“In response to your inquiry, the motion “Go through the Removal Process of Title 31 for Representative Scott,” made on May 22, 2021 in Emergency Session is the National Council Directive.”
The National Council approved a motion to hire a Special Prosecutor named Jeff Davis.
Mvskoke Media contacted the Jeff Davis listed on the current members of the MCN Bar Association to confirm his engagement as Special Prosecutor, but Davis stated he had no information on the subject.
Rep. Scott filed a petition July 20 with the MCN District Court alleging that the actions taken against him by the MCN National Council violated his Constitutional Due Process rights. The filing seeks to obtain court orders to reinstate Scott’s monetary compensation and insurance benefits as well as his capacity as a National Council Representative. It also requests that the court order void the $50,000 fine issued by the Council against Scott and restrict the Council from interfering with his duties as an elected official.
Scott is represented by former MCN Judge Jeremy Pittman.
This is a developing story, Mvskoke Media will provide updates as they become available.
A video playlist of Mvskoke Media updates on the Impeachment process of Rep. Travis Scott is available on YouTube, subscribe to our channel to stay up-to-date in the coverage of this story.
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