Judge reinstates Navajo president

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. is back on the job.

A Window Rock judge issued a permanent injunction late Monday against a Tribal Council resolution that placed Shirley on leave, saying lawmakers acted outside of their authority in passing it.

The judge's decision is subject to appeal in the Navajo Nation Supreme Court. It came on the eve of an election in which Navajos will vote on reducing the size of the Tribal Council and giving the president line-item veto authority.

Lawmakers voted 48-22 in late October to place Shirley on administrative leave, pending an investigation into allegations of ethical, civil or criminal involvement with companies that had tribal contracts.

Attorneys for Shirley argued that the council failed to follow proper legislative procedure, among other things.