Problems plague Yakama Nation Land Enterprise

Problems persist at Yakama Nation Land Enterprise, which oversees the tribe’s RV park and several of its agricultural businesses.

Its interim manager was recently fired, and federal investigation of the operation is still pending, Yakama Tribal Council Chairman Ralph Sampson Jr., said Thursday.

Earlier this week, tribal leaders fired Rebecca Trujillo, who had been overseeing Land Enterprise since longtime manager Lehigh John was fired in May 2007, Sampson said.

Land Enterprise, a multimillion-dollar operation, is a central hub for several tribal businesses including 2,000 acres of apples, cherries and asparagus, land leases for farming, some timber harvests, a Parker produce stand, a Toppenish RV park and an off-reservation juice plant in Selah.

Sampson said members of the Roads, Irrigation and Land Committee — a subcommittee of the Tribal Council that oversees Land Enterprise — fired Trujillo on Monday, but said reasons for her termination are being kept confidential at this time.

Trujillo couldn’t be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, tribal administrator Caroll Palmer, who has a background in real estate, will oversee the operation on an interim basis, Sampson said.

Federal authorities began investigating the operation after tribal leaders cited financial shortcomings as reasons for firing John.

Officials with the FBI, which has responsibility for some types of criminal cases on Indian reservations, didn’t immediately return phone calls seeking comment Thursday.

John has disputed any wrongdoing on his part, and contends that his firing had more to do with disciplinary action he took against Trujillo, who then was his assistant.

Not long after John was fired, his former office was vandalized and broken into, and files containing businesses records were taken. John said that information would have exonerated him from any allegations.

• Phil Ferolito can be reached at 577-7749 or pferolito@yakimaherald.com.