Former Nygren employee files sexual harassment complaint against Montoya

part One

TSÉBIGHÁHOODZÁNÍ – A former Buu Nygren employee has filed a sexual harassment complaint against Vice President Richelle Montoya. More than a year after the alleged incident, the former employee wants Montoya to evaluate herself, apologize and possibly resign from her post.

Former employee Marvin Murphy filed a sexual harassment intake form with the Office of Ethics and Rules on May 2, 2024, alleging that he had close contact with Montoya while moving furniture and checking task lighting in the President’s office on January 13, 2023. Murphy had started as an executive assistant after Nygren and Montoya’s inauguration on January 10, 2023.

“I was dealing with 25 employees (in the Office of the President) who needed assistance with tribal permits/vehicles for employee housing,” Murphy said in a confidential statement obtained by The Navajo Times. “Chief of Staff Patrick Sandoval assigned me to handle vehicle and housing management during this time (Nez Nygren family presidential transition) and to handle building maintenance (of the Office of the President) and cleaning and tidying up the office.”

The statement is filed with the Navajo Nation Department of Human Resources Management and the Navajo Nation Department of Police.

Murphy stated that he was clearing packed snow and ice from the sidewalks after a snowstorm on the morning of January 13, 2023. After performing his duties as property manager, he returned to his office, where Montoya asked for a meeting with him, indicating that she was having problems with air quality in the workplace and with electricity.

According to Murphy’s testimony, Montoya wanted to know why her computer was not working, even though it was obvious under her desk that the power cord was unplugged.

“Montoya wanted me to plug it back in for her,” Murphy explained. “At her desk, in such a small space, the proximity (personal space) was way too much.”

“I had to kneel down to connect the devices,” he explained. “Hoping that Vice President Montoya would move out of my way to do my job, she instead got too close and brushed me with her left breast and hip.”

According to Murphy’s testimony, Montoya did not move when Murphy stood up.

“And I turned away from her and did my job,” Murphy explained, “without thinking it was a ‘bar touch’ or a grope. I was so embarrassed because Vice President Montoya didn’t say anything.”

Murphy’s new employment as administrative assistant ended on March 31, 2023.

Read the full story in the May 30 edition of the Navajo Times.

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