Fred Paquin Faces 2nd Suspension

Fred Paquin of St. Ignace has been suspended from his post as the tribe's chief of police for a second time in eight months.

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairman Aaron Payment, with tribal board member Todd Gravelle, has called in federal investigators in response to an anonymous e-mail Mr. Gravelle received that alleged "budgetary improprieties" in the police department, Mr. Paquin told The St. Ignace News Thursday, May 8. He was put on administrative leave Thursday.

Mr. Paquin says the investigation and his suspension are politically motivated.

"I am cooperating fully with the investigation, because there is nothing to hide," Mr. Paquin said. He has not been informed of the specific improprieties that are suspected in the department, he has not seen the e-mail in question, and he has not yet been interviewed by investigators, who are from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

"I am on administrative leave because they don't want me to have free access to the investigation," Mr. Paquin said.

Mr. Payment announced the suspension in a May 7 statement to the media, in which he said, "Details are sketchy as to the exact nature of the investigation, but it is confirmed that Paquin's employment has been suspended and he is the subject of a federal criminal investigation." The suspension decision was made by the tribe's Chief Financial Officer, Vick Matson Jr., Mr. Payment reported.

Mr. Paquin said he does not personally handle any tribal finances or cash in his role as police chief.

"I don't handle any money or any cash. All money for the department goes through my supervisor, which was Mr. Payment," Mr. Paquin said.

No other tribal employees have been suspended in connection with the investigation.

In August 2007, Mr. Paquin was suspended with pay from his position by the chairman, following a complaint charging him with assault and battery. The charges were dismissed in 91st District Court February 25 under a deferred prosecution agreement, and Mr. Paquin resumed his police chief post March 13.

Mr. Paquin is an incumbent candidate for Unit 3 board representative in the upcoming tribal election. Mr. Payment is the incumbent candidate for the tribe's chairmanship.