The Cherokee Tribal Council recently voted 44-43 to uphold July legislation shortening Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board member Angela Kephart’s term by one year to end September 30. Kephart had protested the legislation but vacated the post following the vote.
Kephart said the decision proves the council overreached its powers. “It’s a manipulation of legislation that gives the principal chief a disproportionate amount of power and control and it imposes his agenda on all supposedly independent boards,” she said. Principal Chief Patrick Lambert stated he only introduced the resolution; the council made the ultimate decision to support it.
“The tribe deserves leadership that represents Cherokee families with honor and integrity. The conduct represented in this matter were not what myself, and ultimately Tribal Council, felt best served the people,” Lambert said. He’s referring to an incident that occurred in February following a concert at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, where a security video showed Kephart’s guests displaying rowdy behavior in a suite. Later casino employees serving the group claimed they had been sexually or verbally harassed. Kephart also allegedly accepted free alcohol, which is forbidden as a member of the TCGE board.
Kephart denied any wrongdoing but the council voted to launch an investigation rather than remove Kephart outright. The investigator concluded, “it would be unfair to hold Kephart accountable for actions of her guests that she may or may not have been aware of.”
Still, Lambert continually maintained Kephart should not hold an office of public responsibility, for which she was paid more than $80,000 annually. “I will continue to stand firmly with the Cherokee family and all employees who have had to suffer from this type of mistreatment from Ms. Kephart,” Lambert said.
Kephart warned other tribal members to be on guard against executive vendettas. “It’s clear that he has a personal agenda with me,” Kephart said.
