Law | Politics

Judge won't let rival factions of Caddo Nation manage programs

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Rival factions of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma have been barred from managing the tribe's self-governance programs, The Native American Times reports.

A judge for the Court of Indian Offenses placed the programs under an independent administrator after evidence showed potential mismanagement. That means neither faction can write checks on behalf of the tribe.

“The accountings submitted have caused me some alarm,” Judge Ronald McGee said at a hearing on Monday, the Times reported. “Some of the information leads me to believe that there are expenditures for non-essential services, which is contrary to my original order.”

The dispute arose after Brenda Shemayme Edwards, who was re-elected chair last summer, was targeted by a recall petition. She claims the petition was invalid and has refused to step down.

Anthony Cotter, however, claims he is the new chairman of the tribe. He's operating out of the tribal complex while Edwards operates off-site, the Times reported.

Get the Story:
Judge places Caddo Nation programs under independent administrator (The Native American Times 5/15)