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White Mountain Apache Chair terminated after special investigation into 'credible' allegations of misconduct

By
Updated  March 19, 2026 6:34pm MST
Navajo County
FOX 10 Phoenix
article

Kasey Velasquez, former chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. (file)

The Brief

    • The White Mountain Apache Tribal Council voted unanimously to remove Chairman Kasey Velasquez following sexual assault allegations.
    • Former Vice Chairman Jerome Kasey was sworn in as the new chairman on March 19, with Travis Tessay filling the vice chair role.
    • A federal investigation into the allegations remains under review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office; no criminal charges have been filed.

WHITERIVER, Ariz. - The White Mountain Apache Tribal Council voted on the termination of Chairman Kasey Velasquez, ultimately ousting the embattled tribal leader. The vote was a unanimous decision by the council and took place on March 17.

This comes a week after Velasquez filed a lawsuit against the tribe, accusing the council of trying to remove him without due process.

In the lawsuit, Velasquez said the council’s plan was based on "mere allegations" and called the actions "unlawful."

The backstory:

Velasquez has been under fire since last summer, as the tribe’s Director of Human Resources accused him of sexual harassment and assault. Wendy Ruiz is the alleged victim who spoke to FOX10 in October 2025 about what she described as Velasquez hugging her from behind and putting his arm around her neck.

Velasquez was placed on paid administrative leave in August 2025 following the incident in June.

Since then, a tribal prosecutor declined to file charges against Velasquez, but the Bureau of Indian Affairs referred its investigation of the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. That probe remains under review, according to USAO.

Related

Tribal prosecutor declines charges against White Mountain Apache Chairman Kasey Velasquez
article

Tribal prosecutor declines charges against White Mountain Apache Chairman Kasey Velasquez

A tribal special prosecutor will not bring criminal charges against White Mountain Apache Tribal Chairman Kasey Velasquez regarding sexual assault allegations made by the tribe’s human resources director in June 2025.

What they're saying:

"Our Constitution has been the guiding document for our people for more than 50 years. This Council created this constitutional crisis by violating my constitutional rights, and attempts to hide behind sovereign immunity to continue to perpetrate their unlawful conduct and abuse of our people. I’m not close to being done yet because I know I’m not the only member of my Tribe to suffer at the hands of this Council. I will continue to fight. The Apache people deserve better," said Barrett Marson, Velasquez's spokesperson.

What's next:

WMAT’s Vice Chairman Jerome Kasey was sworn in as the new chairman on March 19, while Travis Tessay was sworn in to take Kasey’s place.

The Source: White Mountain Apache Tribe

Navajo CountyNews