In a decision dated Wednesday, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe’s Tribal Election Court of Appeals determined that Arthur “Archie” LaRose is ineligible to be a candidate for Leech Lake treasurer/secretary due to a 30-year-old felony conviction.
LaRose’s felony conviction in question was in 1992, but after a stay of imposition, his record reflects a misdemeanor offense as of 1995.
Another candidate for the secretary/treasurer seat on the tribal council, Lenny Fineday, challenged the Leech Lake Tribal Council’s Feb. 10 decision to certify LaRose’s candidacy.
“Mr. LaRose was ‘convicted’ of a felony in 1992,” wrote the five-judge panel from MCT.
“His criminal record now reflects that his felony conviction is now deemed a misdemeanor…. but that does not change the fact that Mr. LaRose was at one time convicted of a felony.”
The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe’s constitution makes any person who has ever been convicted of a felony ineligible to hold office.
