FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) – The director of the federal agency that oversees education for American Indian children was demoted Wednesday after a federal watchdog found he used his influence to get jobs for a close relative and a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship.
Charles “Monty” Roessel abused his position as director of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education to help the woman secure multiple positions and to get the relative a job on the Navajo Nation, the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General said in a report.
Roessel has led the bureau since late 2013. He didn’t immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.
In removing Roessel as director, the Interior Department said it wanted to take immediate action given the gravity of the report.
Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes, a deputy assistant secretary under the Interior Department, will take over as the bureau’s acting director.