Former Nygren chief of staff faces ethics complaint over alleged financial benefits
By Krista Allen
Navajo Times
PAGE – A formal ethics complaint has been filed against Patrick Sandoval, President Buu Nygren’s former chief of staff, alleging he improperly accepted financial benefits from a business that was seeking payment from the Navajo Nation while he served in a senior leadership role.
Special Prosecutor Kyle T. Nayback filed the complaint Friday, Dec. 12, in Navajo Nation District Court, alleging violations of the Navajo Nation Ethics in Government Law related to more than $10,000 in gifts or loans Sandoval allegedly received from Innovative Electric while the company sought payment from the Office of the President and Vice President.
Sandoval, who served as chief of staff from January 2023 through March 2025, disputes both the allegations and the way the complaint was made public. Sandoval told the Navajo Times on Dec. 16 he was not formally notified of the complaint before the Navajo Nation Council issued a news release announcing its filing.
To read the full article, please see the Dec. 18, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.
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