Tribe Votes to Impeach Chief After Residency Flap

Members of Rhode Island's Narragansett Indian tribe have voted to impeach their chief sachem of nearly two decades following reports he may be a Florida resident.

WPRI-TV reports members of the tribe's executive board voted to impeach Matthew Thomas last week. The full tribal assembly unanimously agreed in a vote taken Saturday morning.

The move comes several months after an investigation by the news station showed that Thomas obtained a Florida driver's license and registered to vote in Florida. Florida tax assessor's records show that Thomas owns a home in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Narragansett Indian tribal election rules say that the chief must live in the state of Rhode Island or within a 50-mile radius.

Thomas didn't return an email from WPRI seeking comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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