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Ambar Espinoza
St. Paul, Minn.

Benjamin removed as Mille Lacs chief executive

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Melanie Benjamin
Melanie Benjamin has served as chief executive of the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe since 2000. She was removed from that position today for what tribal officials said were ethical reasons.
MPR file photo

The Mille Lacs Band Assembly held a hearing earlier this morning to review a petition asking for Melanie Benjamin's removal.

Petitioners gathered more than 350 signatures. That's more than the minimum required by the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Constitution.

Herbert Weyaus was named interim CEO. No one from the Mille Lacs Band Assembly was available for immediate comment.

An article by the Mille Lacs Messenger says the petition for removal charges Benjamin used nearly $36,000 of Band monies for personal use and illegally profited from the Band's gaming enterprises.

Benjamin was elected CEO in 2000 and began her third term last July. She tells The Associated Press that her removal is "illegal" and she plans to contest it. She denies any wrongdoing.

The band has 141 days to hold an election for a new chief executive. The band says the action does not affect Grand Casino Mille Lacs or Grand Casino Hinckley.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)

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Melanie Benjamin
Melanie Benjamin has served as chief executive of the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe since 2000. She was removed from that position today for what tribal officials said were ethical reasons.
MPR file photo