January 05, 2015 –
Kickapoo Tribal Chair Lester Randall announced today in a news release that the Tribal Council met on January 2 and voted to remove Councilman Clifford “Steve” Cadue from its governing body. Cadue has been chairman of the Kickapoo Tribe many times during the past 30 years.
In a statement from the Tribe, the grounds for removal were stated as a “breach of fiduciary duty as the Tribe’s budget officer in failing to appropriately modify the Kickapoo Tribe’s 2014 budget after knowledge that the Tribe’s Golden Eagle Casino’s revenues fell severely short of projected revenue.” The Tribal Council further found 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.”
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.
Kickapoo tribal elections were held on Oct. 6, 2014 and the Tribal Council reorganized immediately following the election with Lester Randall being elected Chairman, replacing Cadue. Others on the Council include Fred Thomas, Vice Chairman, Russell Bradley, Treasurer, Sag-tuk Banks, Secretary, Tina Wahwasuck, Member, and Curtis Simon, Member.
The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas has more than 1,600 members and is located approximately five miles west of Horton, Kansas in Brown County.