Duane Boldridge, a resident of Atchison, Kansas, claims he was unlawfully removed from his position as Treasurer of the Walnut Township Board in a recall vote on March 7, 2024 due to racism.
As the only Black man in history to serve on the board, Boldridge alleges his removal was driven by racism and discrimination and accuses fellow board members of false accusations, fraud, collusion, conspiracy, bullying, and even theft per a Black News report.
The situation began in September 2023 when Gary Servaes was appointed to the board. Boldridge claims Servaes’ appointment created a huge conflict of interest, alleging that Servaes organized a group of township members to take control of the board for personal gain.
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According to Boldridge, Servaes sought to sell gravels to the township for road projects, profiting from the arrangement.
Boldridge claims that the recall vote was initiated because he refused to support Servaes’ self-serving actions. “The next best thing was to use local government agencies to remove the Black guy, a public lynching,” Boldridge said.
In March 2024, Servaes was voted off the board by a majority but reportedly refused to step down. Boldridge also claims that the county attorney failed to enforce the board’s decision to remove Servaes from his trustee position.
Boldridge further alleges that a broader conspiracy was orchestrated against him, led by Servaes and involving several key figures in Atchison County. He names the Atchison Board of County Commissioners, including Cassie Quinn, Allen Reavis, Eric Noll, and County Counselor Patrick Henderson, as participants in the scheme to oust him from his role.
In addition, Boldridge accuses Union State Bank, Bank of Atchison, attorneys Mike Kuckleman and Sheri Becker (Atchison County Attorney), the Atchison Daily Globe, County Clerk Michelle Phillips, and the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department of involvement.
Other individuals he claims were part of the conspiracy include Mark Servaes, Mary Jane Sowers, Karen Seaberg, Janet Billington/Trower, Leo Navinskey, John Funk, Steve Handke, Bill Pohl, Mick West, Jody Scott, the Kansas Human Rights Commission, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, and other Walnut Township members.
