Tribal official goes to trial over contaminated water probe

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The former head of the Chippewa Cree Tribe's water resource department went on trial Monday on charges that he lied to federal authorities investigating a contaminated drinking water tank used by dozens of homes on the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation.

Jonathan Jay Eagleman has pleaded not guilty to making false statements to a federal agency and demanded a jury trial, which got underway Monday in U.S. District Court in Great Falls with jury selection and opening arguments.

On Aug. 30, 2012, two workers for the tribe's water department found the hatch of a water tank that feeds 35 homes had been broken into, according to federal prosecutors. The workers found cow feces, wooden boards and concrete had been thrown into the water.

http://mtstandard.com/news/state-and-regional/tribal-official-goes-to-trial-over-contaminated-water-probe/article_88a17221-1916-571a-9076-b7be30ce08b6.html