Ute board expels longtime members for 'misconduct'

FORT DUCHESNE, Uintah County — Two longtime members of the Ute Tribe Business Committee have been ordered to hand over the keys to their offices by today after being found guilty of the charge of "neglect and gross misconduct."

Luke Duncan, who was booted from the committee along with Ron Wopsock during a closed-door general membership meeting Tuesday, contends the two were ousted by their four counterparts on the governing board because they filed a federal lawsuit aimed at the BIA alleging a lack of oversight on how the tribe's non-Indian financial adviser is handling millions of dollars in tribal coffers.

"We are attempting to stop the bleeding of tribal member assets and cash flow," said Duncan.

At the heart of the dispute among the tribe's six elected leaders is a financial plan promoted by tribal financial adviser John Jurrius. Tribal members voted to adopt the plan two years ago, but Duncan and Wopsock maintain it is not working and allows Jurrius to spend tribal funds without accountability.

Duncan and Wopsock recently filed a lawsuit against Uintah-Ouray Bureau of Indian Affairs Superintendent Chet Mills and BIA Region Director Wayne Nordwall for breach of duty for not overseeing the tribe's financial situation under Jurrius.

During Tuesday's closed- door meeting, Duncan said he questioned the four committee members about specific money matters — including increased costs for tribal attorneys and mandated 35 percent salary cuts for tribal employees — but they said nothing.

Duncan and Wopsock have moved out of their tribal offices, but have filed injunctions in tribal court and are awaiting word on a court date.

Business Committee chairwoman Maxine Natchees said the fact that Duncan and Wopsock have filed a lawsuit against the BIA regarding Jurrius' financial plan is grounds to remove them from office without a recall petition from their tribal respective bands.

"The thrust of the thing is that they have violated the oath of office because they are going against the referendum vote of the people. The constitution is very specific of the referendum vote, it is binding upon the committee," said Natchees.

The Business Committee is also concerned that actions by Duncan and Wopsock could threatened the tribe's sovereignty, according to a press release issued by Natchees.

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