Protective Order Petition Filed After Alleged Confrontation Between UKB Chief, Councilman

Court filing follows witness allegations stemming from July 13 meeting with furloughed employees; petition has not yet been reviewed and allegations remain unverified. | By Staff Reports

TAHLEQUAH, Okla., — A petition for a protective order has been filed in Cherokee County District Court following allegations of a confrontation during a July 13 meeting involving furloughed employees of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma State Courts Network docket, UKB Councilman Donald Lee Adair filed the petition Monday against UKB Chief Jeffrey Wacoche. The case, PO-2026-00119, has been assigned to District Judge Jerry S. Moore, with a hearing scheduled for July 23. We have requested a copy of the petition from the Cherokee County Court Clerk and have not yet reviewed its contents.

Earlier Monday, we reported that two witnesses who requested anonymity because they fear retaliation alleged Wacoche confronted Adair after Adair apologized to employees, telling them, “We, as council, have failed you.” The witnesses alleged Wacoche criticized Adair for having “been asleep,” directed profanity toward him, challenged him to step outside, and continued the exchange until Lighthorse officers intervened and escorted the chief from the meeting. Those allegations remain unverified.

We have requested comment from Wacoche regarding both the allegations and the protective order petition and have been unable to reach Adair for comment.

This is a developing story. We will update our reporting as additional records, witness accounts and official responses become available.