Attorney General reports pending federal litigation, DOJ stay in cases involving county prosecutors

Attorney General Chad Harsha briefed the Tribal Council on several pending legal matters, including federal litigation and a petition filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Harsha told the council the Nation has pending litigation in the U.S. Northern and Eastern Districts against district attorneys Matt Ballard and Carol Iskey; the United States has intervened and the Department of Justice issued a stay while it evaluates next steps. "The stay is in place until roughly the September, and we hope to have some more feedback from the Department of Justice, soon," Harsha said.

Harsha also said the council’s legal team is monitoring a petition for certiorari filed in a case described in the transcript as "Stitt versus the city of Tulsa," and that the Nation is evaluating whether and how to share its perspective with the U.S. Supreme Court if the Court requests briefs. He described the matters as part of broader jurisdictional issues involving non-member Indian jurisdiction and state municipal jurisdiction.

Harsha closed by noting that the Attorney General’s office continues to carry out regular work, including moving in and out of jury trials, and that staff remain available to answer council questions about litigation or next steps.

Why it matters: These federal cases concern jurisdictional questions and prosecutorial actions that could affect Cherokee Nation sovereignty and interactions with state and municipal authorities; the DOJ stay and any Supreme Court action could change the litigation timetable and legal strategy.