A Navajo Nation jury has acquitted the tribe’s former top financial officer of charges that she misrepresented information about a company hired to do rapid COVID-19 testing on the reservation. Former Controller Pearline Kirk was tried on one count of obtaining a signature by deception, and two counts each of paying or receiving Navajo Nation funds for services not rendered and falsification. Her attorney said Friday's acquittal brought tears of relief, saying it marked a big vindication for his client. The Navajo Nation Council removed Kirk as the tribal controller in May 2021. Kirk maintained she did nothing wrong and was trying to keep her employees safe.