MILLIONS in Indian Gaming Money IMPROPERLY SPENT in CALIFORNIA

Not only do we know that some California tribes have stolen citizenship, money, health benefits and educational assistance from tribal members, the OC Register has a story up on how the money from funds supposed to be used for gambling mitigation  were IMPROPERLY SPENT.  And expanded gaming hasn't helped either, as we discussed earlier.

The state handled more than $113 million in gaming-related dollars in 2009, the auditor said, $30 million of which was supposed to offset impacts for local governments.

“The grants that we reviewed were used to purchase a new fire truck, improve police departments’ communications systems, allow better law enforcement coverage, provide hot lunches for senior citizens, and fund shortfalls to ensure that existing services and programs, such as a science camp for local students and fire protection services, could continue,” the auditor said.

HOT LUNCHES for seniors?   While a good idea, how does a casino affect them to the point of needing mitigation funds?
Here's another one from the state auditor's report:

The benefit committee in Yolo County provided roughly $336,000 to a school district, which is an ineligible entity under state law

That should make us all feel good, when we know money is not being spent the way we thought it would.  And speaking of expanded gaming, here's some more good news:

Although the amended compacts have resulted in less revenue for the distribution fund, they have increased the revenue available to the State’s General Fund,

So expanded gaming didn't benefit those tribes that have no gaming.  Revenue available to the General Fund may have increased, but to what end?  It hasn't trimmed our budget deficit.   We need a closer eye on tribes, and local governments.
Remember, the city of Temecula is suing the Pechanga tribe for failure to PAY