Former Comanche chairman cleared of wrongdoing

A former Comanche tribal chairman feels vindicated after the tribe’s business committee rescinded a 2021 motion to suspend him from office.

Following an executive session at Saturday’s monthly meeting of the Comanche Business Committee, Seat No. 2 Ross Kahrahrah made a motion to rescind the March 6, 2021, resolution calling for the suspension and investigation of William Nelson Sr., the then-current chairman of the tribe. Seat No. 1 Hazel Tahsequah seconded the vote and, save for an abstention by Seat No. 3 Alice Kassanavoid, the motion passed unanimously.

Kahrahrah announced that no criminal activity nor any other activities were found through an investigation that started more than three years ago.

Nelson said it was a great burden lifted from his chest. He’d served as chairman from September 2016 until his suspension.

“For the past three years and 31 days, my life has been downcast and shameful to these accusations,” he said. “I’m just glad this inquisition of no merit is finally over.”

The March 2021 resolution by then-Seat No. 2 Diana Gail Sovo-Doyebi followed inconsistencies discovered in an audit of the tribe’s finances, according to the original resolution.

Sovo-Doyebi said there had been questionable actions found that included the movement of money, some of which was described as being outside the business committee’s quorum and of “highly questionable financial actions” by Nelson that appeared to be unconstitutional. She offered documentation from then-Secretary/Treasurer John David Wahnee that was to supplement the proposed resolution.

The resolution became effective immediately and Nelson had to turn in all Comanche Nation-owned computer equipment, including his laptop, jump drives, keys and cell phones. It also made him ineligible to seek any leadership position or employment within Comanche Nation and/or any of its entities until the investigation was complete.

Nelson said he learned Comanche Nation Law Enforcement turned in its determination of “no findings” from the investigation to the business committee six months after the suspension. He said attempts to have the matter righted earlier were quashed.

“I personally approached the elected business committee by cease and desist letters on four occasions and at their open meetings on three different occasions over a three-year period,” he said.

Nelson said, ultimately, the resolution was unconstitutional.

“The law of the Comanche Nation is clear, ‘any and all elected officials can only be removed by the Tribal Council (all enrolled members over the age of 18),’” he said.

Nelson is now eligible for nomination for office. Nominations will be taken at the tribe’s April 20 general council meeting for chairman and vice chairman.