A serious governance crisis has emerged within the White Mountain Apache Tribe after HR Director Wendy Ruiz filed a formal complaint alleging sexual assault by Tribal Chairman Kasey Velasquez during a June 4, 2025, meeting in his office in Whiteriver. The complaint, filed in June 2025, led to an investigation that has since been taken up by the FBI; Velasquez was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 6, 2025, following his offer of leave and approval by the tribal council. Ruiz publicly detailed her account on Oct. 20, 2025, bringing the matter to broader public attention.

The developments touch directly on Apache County residents because the White Mountain Apache Reservation spans parts of Apache, Gila and Navajo counties, and tribal governance affects local services, education, and law enforcement in the region. The complaint and ensuing federal investigation were reported by FOX 10 Phoenix and circulated on other platforms, and local officials have said the Bureau of Indian Affairs referred inquiries to the FBI for the federal inquiry. No resolution of the investigation has been publicly reported.

Ruiz, who has served as the tribe's human resources director since her November 2023 appointment, describes the alleged incident as part of escalating inappropriate physical contact that culminated on June 4. Chairman Velasquez, who became chairman in 2022 after prior roles as vice chairman and work in education and law enforcement, offered administrative leave in August; the tribal council approved the leave. Public statements and reporting since July and August documented the investigation's existence, and Ruiz's decision to speak publicly in October intensified attention on leadership accountability within the tribe.

The immediate implications are institutional and civic. Residents dependent on tribal institutions for schools, public safety coordination and social services may experience heightened concerns about workplace safety and internal oversight. The situation risks eroding trust in tribal leadership among members and neighboring non-tribal communities in Apache County, potentially affecting civic engagement and voter attitudes in future tribal elections. The case also raises questions about internal complaint processes, the role of the tribal council in disciplinary matters, and when matters move from tribal authorities to federal investigators.

Key institutions in the unfolding story include the White Mountain Apache Tribal Council, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the FBI. Reporting to date identifies these entities' respective roles: the council approved the chairman's leave, the BIA referred inquiries, and the FBI is conducting the investigation. Reporters and community stakeholders identify next steps for public verification as tracking the FBI inquiry's progress, obtaining tribal council minutes related to the leave and complaint, and any additional witness statements or formal findings from internal or external inquiries.

For Apache County residents, the allegations underscore the importance of transparent processes and accountability mechanisms in tribal governance that affect daily services and community cohesion. Local news coverage will continue to follow developments, focusing on the investigation's status, any changes to Velasquez's administrative status, and potential policy responses by the tribal council to address workplace misconduct and restore institutional trust.