Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren denies allegations of sexual harassment by tribe Vice President Richelle Montoya

Lillie Boudreaux/Cronkite News

Boo Nygren

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has denied allegations by the tribe’s vice president, Richelle Montoya, that he sexually harassed and bullied her.

In a press conference on Tuesday, he denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with her.

In April, Richelle Montoya revealed in a nearly 90-minute video that she had been sexually harassed while serving as vice president, but did not name the alleged perpetrator.

At the press conference, Nygren said he himself was the defendant.

Nygren said the vice president was going through a difficult time in her personal life when he called her into his office for a meeting last August.

“I believe that the president and vice president need to support each other,” Nygren said. “And I wanted to expand that support.”

In her video, Montoya said she felt powerless.

“As your vice president, I had to write a statement in August 2023 because I was sexually harassed,” Montoya said.

She said she also felt like an object and was unable to walk.

Nygren released a letter she signed at the time of the incident accusing him.

“I have never sexually harassed or sexually assaulted the vice president or treated her disrespectfully,” Nygren said. “Or done anything she accuses me of.”

Nygren said he supports the attorney general’s ongoing investigation but did not know its status.