25 Facts About Albert Hale

Albert A Hale was an American attorney and politician.

Albert Hale served until 1998, when he resigned to avoid facing prosecution for 50 felonies and misdemeanors related to theft and bribery.

Albert Hale was widely recognized as a staunch advocate for tribal rights and a key figure in upholding tribal sovereignty.

Albert A Hale was born on March 13,1950, in Ganado, Arizona, to Willie, who worked at the Fort Wingate US Army depot, and Irene, who herded sheep.

Albert Hale was raised in Klagetsoh, and was of the clan.

Albert Hale's family lived at the depot when he was born.

Willie was beaten to death in a jail in Gallup, New Mexico, by a police officer when Albert Hale was two years old.

Albert Hale attended Wingate High School, and frequently told a story of Navajo Nation Council member Annie Dodge Wauneka shaming him into going to school after he was caught being truant.

Albert Hale earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Albert Hale served as a judge pro tempore in the Laguna Pueblo, and later served as both assistant attorney general of and special counsel to the Navajo Nation Council.

Albert Hale served as the president of both the Navajo Nation Bar Association and the State Bar of New Mexico.

Albert Hale was elected the second Navajo Nation President in late 1994, running on a campaign of local empowerment.

Albert Hale's intention was to move more powers to the local 110 chapters of government in the Nation.

The Navajo attorney general appointed a special prosecutor, who investigated for five months Albert Hale's spending in 1995 and 1996.

Albert Hale was indicted in 1997 for accepting kickbacks and bribes, and for misuse of government property.

Albert Hale was allowed to resign his post on February 19,1998, to avoid criminal prosecution on 50 counts.

Albert Hale re-entered electoral politics in January 2004, when Governor Janet Napolitano appointed him to fill the Arizona Senate seat from the 2nd district vacated by Jack Jackson Sr.

Albert Hale served as chairman of the Navajo Nation Water Rights Commission, where he played an important role in negotiating a settlement with the New Mexico government over the San Juan Basin, which resulted in more water for many Navajo communities.

Albert Hale was married three times, with the first two ending in divorce.

Albert Hale was known by many in the Navajo community as "Abhihay".

On November 22,2014, Albert Hale was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Albert Hale was booked into the Navajo County jail in Holbrook, Arizona, and released the same day.

On January 11,2021, Albert Hale was hospitalized in Mesa, Arizona, after testing positive for COVID-19 four days earlier.

Albert Hale died from complications related to the virus on February 2,2021, at age 70.

Albert Hale is survived by nine children and his wife, Paula.