False Alarm: Son Sues over Connie Uhre’s Racism, Then Backs Off, Saying Racist Mom Isn’t Racist

On Monday, June 6, Judson Uhre sued his racist mom Connie and brothers Nick and Chad for hurting the family’s hotel business with their public racism:

In his lawsuit against his family, Judson said the actions of his family have irreparably hurt the business.

“Connie Uhre had a duty of care to ensure that she conducts herself in a manner not prejudicial to the business of the corporation, however, she went ahead and made a racially charged rant which was posted on a website with wide coverage and this led to financial loss of clients for the hotel as well as the damage to the hotel’s reputation,” Judson wrote.

The board has not held a meeting since Connie became president of the Retsel Corporation, according to the complaint, and, after Connie’s social media comments, the corporation’s secretary tried to set up a special meeting to “discuss Connie’s shameful post.” A meeting never took place according to Judson.

“The bylaws of the corporation require a special meeting to be held upon request by any shareholder,” Judson wrote [Shalom Baer Gee, “Legal Troubles: Judson Uhre Sues Mother, Brothers over Grand Gateway Hotel,” Rapid City Journal, 2022.06.10].

Baer Gee reports that Judson’s lawsuit also alleged that brother Chad had an affair with a hotel employee and fouled up the hotel’s loan refinancing. Alleging that brother Nick engaged in other hostile behavior, Judson’s lawsuit demanded that Nick be ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation. Judson also asked the court to order the corporation to buy out Judson’s shares at 300% of valuation.

But yesterday, Judson told Tom Lawrence he’s calling off his lawsuit. Judson now says, contrary to the record of her public statements and actions, that his mom isn’t racist:

He said he believes his mother is not a racist and just reacted terribly to the March 19 fatal shooting of Myron Pourier, 19, who was a guest at the hotel. Quincy Bear Robe, 19, has been charged with second-degree murder.

“I think it’s very important that people understand that people say bad things when they are faced with horror and mayhem,” Judson said. “Myself included, I fall short, like many, of the righteousness that’s required. My mother has children that have Native American ancestry and she also has grandchildren that are of African ancestry. As a matter of fact, she grew up with… she has a lot of Native American friends that are very proud to call her a friend, also. We actually hire more Native Americans in our hotel than the local government has in their government per ratio.”

But several Native American employees resigned in the wake of Connie Uhre’s comments. Judson Uhre said Natives are welcome as guests and as members of the staff.

“Natives have always been welcomed in the Grand Gateway Hotel, are welcome now and will be welcome forever and ever amen.”

He said his mother is 78 and has been hurt by the controversy caused by her “shameful statement.” But he also said she is strong and resilient.

“And I will even say this: My mother is not a racist. I will say my mother loves Native Americans. She has many Native Americans that she loves,” Judson said. “Now, she does have a bent on virtue. Anyone who is virtuous she gravitates toward, and that doesn’t matter who you are” [Tom Lawrence, “Son to Drop Lawsuit Against Family After Racism Row,” The Daily Beast, updated 2022.06.12].

Unfortunately, Connie gravitates toward virtuous people and sprays them with Pledge. And unfortunately, Judson seems just as inclined to irrational, impulsive behavior, saying one thing under oath in court, then just a few days later saying the opposite.