Steve Cadue

Cadue removed from Kickapoo Tribal Council due to allegations of financial misconduct

A former chairman of the Kickapoo Tribal Council has been removed from the council by vote over allegations of financial misconduct, tribal officials announced on Monday.

Clifford “Steve” Cadue, who has served as Kickapoo tribal chairman “many times during the past 30 years,” was voted off the council on a “breach of fiduciary duty,” according to a news release issued by the tribe. Cadue had been replaced as chairman following an Oct. 6 election in which current chairman Lester Randall was elected to the position.

Randall alleged that Cadue and a former Kickapoo Tribal Council treasurer misrepresented the tribe’s fiscal year 2014 budget and “overspent” it, it was reported. It was also noted that tribal officials have contacted the U.S. Attorney General’s office to review the events leading up to Friday’s vote and recommend whether any legal action should be taken against Cadue.

Cadue said the vote to remove him from the tribal council was politically motivated and added that he would appeal the vote in tribal court. Topeka attorney Matthew Bergmann, representing Cadue, said the charges levied against Cadue were “unsubstantiated and without merit,” it was reported.

According to the news release, Cadue allegedly “fail(ed) to appropriately modify the Kickapoo Tribe's FY 2014 budget after knowledge that the Tribe's Golden Eagle Casino's revenues fell severely short of projected revenue.”

It was also alleged that Cadue “breached a fiduciary duty by executing a pledge agreement which secured the Kickapoo Tribe's minor per capita trust fund as collateral on a promissory note without Tribal Council action,” the release stated.

According to tribal officials, members of the Kickapoo tribe receive a percentage of net revenue generated by Golden Eagle Casino, but percentages designated for children are placed in a trust fund until they turn 18. Randall alleged that Cadue and the former treasurer took money from the trust fund to use as collateral for a land purchase, it was reported. 

“Chairman Randall noted tribal members demand accountability from their elected leaders. Circumstances demanded the tribal council take action to restore confidence in the financial stability of the Kickapoo Tribe and its operations,” the news release continued.

In addition to Randall, the Kickapoo Tribal Council consists of vice chairman Fred Thomas, treasurer Russell Bradley, secretary Sag-tuk Banks and members Tina Wahwasuck and Curtis Simon. The tribe has more than 1,600 members, it was reported.

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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