The state attorney general says a third Twin Buttes school board member should be removed for crimes in office.

The complaint against board member Darwin Lone Bear was filed Monday, and Lone Bear's case will be added to those filed last week against school board President Melissa Starr and board member Hank Starr, her brother.

Surrogate Judge Benny Graff will determine whether the evidence supports their removal at a hearing at 9 a.m. March 15 at the Stark County Courthouse in Dickinson and make a report to Gov. John Hoeven.

Hoeven was asked to use his statutory authority to remove public officials by Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Marcus Wells Jr., after all three board members and four other school personnel were charged late last fall with federal felonies in a conspiracy, fraud and embezzlement case alleging they took more than $665,000 from the school's funds over the last three years.

All seven pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for trial May 1 in U.S. District Court in Bismarck.

Wells told Hoeven he immediately suspended the three after federal indictments were handed down by a grand jury, but they claim their positions as board members are protected under state law.

Twin Buttes is on the reservation, but it is a public school and receives state foundation aid payments.

Stenehjem's investigation found that Lone Bear should be removed for taking more than $216 for a school meeting he never attended in 2006.

The federal investigation found that by using similarly fraudulent travel advances and other means, Lone Bear took some $25,000 in school funds, while Hank Starr took $43,000 and Melissa Starr took more than $330,000.

The others that have been indicted are former board member Tammy Grady-Jacobs, head custodian Paul Fredericks, school finance officer Lillian Holen and former principal Elaine Incognito.

They face fines and up to 20 years in prison.

(Reach reporter Lauren Donovan at 888-303-5511 or lauren@;westriv.com.)