Seneca-Cayuga Dispute Results in Shut Down of Tobacco Factory

Source from:  joplinglobe.com GROVE, Okla. 06/27/2007

Around 60 Seneca-Cayuga tobacco factory employees are without a job today after Chief Paul Spicer shut down the factory, saying the tribe's secretary-treasurer is trying to seize control of the tribe's financial accounts. In a memo dated June 25 to tobacco factory employees, the Seneca-Cayuga Tribal Corp. began laying off employees citing bank accounts that it said were inaccessible. Kay Crow-Ellison, tribe secretary treasurer, denied the allegations and alleged that Spicer's closing of the factory was a result of a contested election. "I have talked to our banks and all of our accounts are open," Ellison said. "The banks are doing business as usual and honoring our checks." The conflict stems from a June 2 General Council and Election in which Spicer was re-elected, but the election was later contested. A July 20 hearing is set in tribal court to hear arguments concerning the general council election. Enditem