HAVRE, Mont. (AP) — The Chippewa Cree's governing council has suspended the tribe's chairman on allegations of neglect and misconduct, but Ken St. Marks says the body took action against him because of his cooperation with a federal corruption investigation.

St. Marks was suspended for allegedly violating his duty, a lack of ethical responsibility and a disregard for the obligations he assumed upon his election in November, a statement released Friday by the Chippewa Cree Business Council said.

The statement directly addressed St. Marks, saying, "the roles and duties you violated are of great importance in the administration of public office and breach renders you unfit to continue to hold office."

The statement did not detail the alleged wrongdoing and the council did not respond to requests for additional information.

St. Marks refused to leave the tribal offices Friday and about 100 people gathered there to support him.

"I was elected by the people," St. Marks told the Havre Daily News. "Only the people should fire me."

St. Marks said his political opponents were trying to get rid of him because he has been working with the federal government on an investigation into alleged corruption on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation.

Tribal police told the crowd to leave by the end of business Friday. During the day, several supporters complained about alleged corruption and fiscal mismanagement on the reservation.

Corruption may be costing the tribe millions of dollars, St. Marks said.

He received a $16 million bill from a Florida firm that had something to do with the failed construction of a hotel adjacent to the Northern Winds Casino, but has not been able to determine what work was done, he said.

Several people said they were concerned the amount of money spent on the annual rodeo and its powwow, saying that money could be better spent to help the needy on the poor reservation.

The protesters were preparing a legal challenge to St. Marks' suspension.

The suspended chairman will have the chance to respond to the council's allegations next Monday at tribal headquarters.