Things on the outside of Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino may look normal. But things behind the scenes are far from it.
"It is a power struggle, and we're no different than other tribes in California," says Reggie Lewis, a former chairman of the Picayune Rancheria, the tribe which owns Chukchansi Casino.
At issue, the leadership of more than 900 members (OP: There used to be 1500 members) and millions of dollars in revenue.
“There's politics, there's history from families in the area. A lot of things combined put us In the position we're in right now,” he says.
Lewis, Nancy Ayala, and four others say their group is in charge, and have set up shop on the 11th floor of the casino's hotel.
"We are there because we were asked by the casino staff and other tribal members to go and do what we did," says Lewis. "We're only following the direction of the people."
The Lewis–Ayala partnership may surprise some, since just last year Ayala accused Lewis of frivolously spending away millions of tribal dollars on hotels, travel and meals.
"We invested five to six million to Chukchansi inc, and received no benefit," she says, in a clip posted on YouTube.
Lewis brushed it off.
"We are trying to do whatever is necessary to work through this and get the tribe back together," he said.
The last elected tribal council is also claiming leadership.
"Throughout the history of our tribe, the council is on the compound. We've been consistently handling the operations. When they came in, they did everything in their power to stop us from doing our job," says Chukchansi Vice–Chair Monica Davis–Johnson. “We provide benefits to elders, distribute the per capita.”
Davis-Johnson says Lewis' group is upset because her council is currently carrying out a forensic audit.
“We're looking at financials. Everyone has to back up their bank statements. No stone will be unturned. Nobody wants this to be completed,” she says.
Davis–Johnson went on to say that that Lewis and Ayala's group has been banned from going into the casino.
"The General Manager at the time was not on the property... they walked in without our approval," she says.
"That's not true at all," says Lewis.
Lewis' group is even accused of going as far as hiring armed security guards to intimidate the other group.
Pictures sent into KMPH Fox 26 News show people who appear to be armed.
Lewis said his officers do carry stun guns.
"There are no guns allowed on the casino side, no matter who they are working for," he said.
While a gun was not used, things got violent Saturday night near the casino grounds.
Madera County Sheriff's Spokeswoman Erica Stuart says a woman threw a rock at a fire engine, as the engine and deputies were responding to an initial call of shots fired.
Stuart says deputies have actually been on site at the casino for weeks to maintain the peace between the two factions— on mandatory overtime.
Some worked shifts even after providing coverage at the Courtney Fire near Bass Lake.
"It's exhausting resources of deputies. It's taxing on deputies and taxing on citizens," she says.
Stuart did not have an estimate on a dollar amount.
When asked about the cost of having deputies on site, Davis–Johnson had no comment.
Lewis said the tribe gives the Sheriff's department more than a million dollars a year even if it doesn't have any calls and that things are, "balancing out now."
Both sides insist it is safe to visit and gamble the casino.
Lewis likened the power struggle to a family dispute, since many of the families in the Picayune Tribe, are related.
“It's safe for people to come up. It's a tribal dispute,” said Davis-Johnson. (OP: Unless your are a fire department and rocks don't hurt you)
35 comments:
These people have been proven to be liars, cheaters, bribers, and crooks, and now they want Indian Country to believe they are honest and care about their people, because they claim tribal members want them to be their in the Casino? How ridiculous they sound. It seems like the tribe already told them how they feel by voting in a new faction, the vote was done by the general council right? So the GC is talking, but instead they still have a few supporters, according to them, that want them there, this just makes them look more and more corrupt. They must be trying to hide a lot more stuff. The Chukchansi People need to rid their tribe of these evil doers once and for all and have them arrested for the heinous crimes they have committed against their own people. and try to get their tribe back to a peaceful existence, or at least to a place where they can all agree on.
Haha
I thought it was over and all got back in?
Let's see if Monica audit turns up her dirt lies too like the fact she slept with Alan mc combs to get her seat on council or that her and Gary used a crow bar to break into butler building to steal court documents. There audit is being carried out by a team paid by their lawyer Gary montana, this team comes from Wisconsin too. What about the 24 million from taxes that was supposed to go to the people? Both sides are crooks. They all need to be thrown out and sent to jail. Ayala, lewis, reid, albertas, tex, monica. All of you dirty no good tramps.
Sleeping with Allen McCombs? Hardly dought it. The audit was not paid for by Montana. It's was paid by both councils. Let's see if my 1/2 brother Chance's stealing comes up? He's a greedy bastard just like the rest of them. Last year he took his family twice to Disneyland paid for by Chuk inc. credit card. I really hope that comes up in the audit.
My brother has been stealing from our members from the first day he was on council. I may look white but I know where I come from. Chance your a thief!! Real Native don't steal from their people's or turn on their own blood!!!
Talk about selling out to the white man!
Just like Rob Rosette!
He has a share in Chuk inc & is their lawyer representing them? Can anyone say conflict!!
Rosette claims to be Native, yeah right! Just another greedy white man
Monica was caught in the valet parking lot in Alan McCombs car! I witnessed it. I just wonder if Monica gets upset that Alan had enough respect to at least take bree into the tribal offices not just the casino parking lot. And your right about chance, they are all thieves.and Monica is just a whore, that's why she was fired from the casino giving head in the parking lot. Don't think people have forgotten about that monica. Or the fact that tex slept with Jennifer Stanley his poor wife. I noticed all the kings at reggie meeting though collecting money, is Vernon too drunk for his own family? Lmao And I would like to know how how things are going for the balochi tribe linda? Did you get your self recognized yet? Isn't that a violation of the chukchansi constitution? Duel enrollment are you gonna remove yourself if they recognize the balochi, or did that taste of money change your mind? I bet Donna is wishing she would have followed the constitution and done the right thing now she has to look at her brother as he takes everything from her AGAIN. Maybe brother will fix your doors he had kicked in, lmao good luck. Both the ayala/lewis & Mcdonald factions are criminals they all deserve prison time... along with their lawyers and illegal unlicensed security gaurds (talking about your security capitan tex, Tyrone bishop is not legit, but he still carries a gun!) I'd rather see the casino shut down and give up my 400 bucks a month then look at those ugly rats fight over money that does not belong to them.
Now the rumor is that chance wants to take the 23 million from taxes to restart chuk inc.... so he can steal more money! That money belongs to the members! We need to stand up and stop that! That's all those councils are after.... The tax money. The tribe needs to stop chance reggie and rosette from stealing their money again. And don't think tex had any good plans for that money either. The only reason they haven't taken it, is because it's frozen.
How about monica taking money to destroy boxes for chance. And donna forcing votes so her bf gary Montana could be voted back in. After he abused the tribe before. How about monica being chance's sexertary hmm better DNA her boy enrollment committee. #babydaddychance# tex is a felon in charge of the fate of your tribe # drugtesting# mellisa chenot and multiple new tribal employees failed their drug test. Allen mccombs is an incompetent sex addict who shouldn't have a job. Did anyone bother to think maybe Donna's just messing up the tribe and still getting paid by her bro Reggie. And nokomis kar and Tracy are the biggest snakes. And all the king want is money and to be ndn
I think it's funny how now everyone has a problem with the way the tribe is being ran, but aren't these ppl being voted in...now you all mad because u voted them in, I'm amused that now since some of you sound like you can't get to money it's a problem...so what are we really mad at? Chuk Inc seems likes it has been having fun for years and none of you did anything about it? So instead of solutions you have resorted to talk about people's personal business. I think you all need to take a look at yourselves and take blame for letting yourselves get ripped off.
IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY..
i say bring ALL the people home--including the over ONE THOUSAND tribal citizens arbitrarily and capriciously disenrolled since 1999--and THEN have a "clean slate" election...
i could pretty much assure that NONE of the so called "tribal leaders" at picayune that have held office (legally or illegally) during the past ten years would be voted back in...and perhaps then those who have committed financial improprieties against our chukchansi people could truly get what they deserve--prison time for their crimes, just as anyone else committing these blatant crimes would have received--INCLUDING the numerous sets of attorneys who represent the "interests" of the various factions claiming "control" at picayune and/or chukchansi gold...what a sad and pathetic joke our chukchansi tribe has become within our beloved indian country!
cathy l. cory
chukchansi
I don't believe you should bring those people back, some of them are not chukchansi some of them were friends with the chukchansi people, so that doesn't make them Indian. If you are a true chukchansi then bring them back, but the white man don't want to be Indian until they can get something too. Chance, Reggie, Nancy are thieves and I hope whatever council is in control bans them forever
Too bad yall all cowards hiding behind a blog. King Life here and how many of yall family members actually hold important positions at the casino for more than a year. We can care less about the money because guess what we get paid regardless because we have jobs!!! Yall must be mad because we didn't grow up on the reservation and we don't have problems with no one raising our kids. Call it what you want we never back stabbed or talked behind nobody back because we are not afraid to tell the truth to your face. Too bad yall can't get along with us but again who cares cause yall still trying to get a job and wonder why your own casino won't hire you or better yet you can't even act responsible enough to keep the jobs that they pay you $15/hour. Get a life these Kings are here to stay and if not ask around the casino about us believe me well respected in all departments!
Gossip to much hate on this page...
Do you research before you talking shit!!Because a lot of you sound so confuse!!
@king life like derrick Payne. Hmm all you kings want is money. Where were you all these years. Hmm maybe we call you outsider because you don't even know who your related to. Hitting on your own cousins your related to the Hammond's ....what's your special relationship??? Hmm how about vernon king totaling a tribal car while on council drunk driving. And you ran from reporting it for a week and avoided a drug test. Yea you kings have jobs because someone handed it to you.
What you mean where were we all these years? Lol yall act like we can't want better for our families and not wait on the government to help us out like most of yall. You right everybody about the money the difference is it don't matter if we get it from the tribe or not we still get it and don't have to worry about none of our family begging for money and looking like a hot ass mess. You need to do your homework and ask about who we are because obviously you don't know. Regarding anyone of our family hitting on yall pleeeease no one cares about yall broke ass people. Vernon is grown so on that note it got you feeling some type of way about another man well pray on that, better then stealing from the tribe right!
Nobody in their right mind voted them back in they put them selves there and solidified their spot with a Lil pay out to the people..
The kings are nothing but niggers who forced their mama to enroll them after trying for 20 years to find her,for money. She was banished from the tribe out of shame for have black kids. There is no respect for the kings, no true native respects you Vernon is a joke and Stephen King is the biggest stereotypical conaga out there, look at him you don't know weather to ask for cracked or where's his Ho at.
Niggers can't speak right....yall
Hahahaha hitting on cousins that's all he did. You dumb ass people fucking ya cousins and having baby's with them. Do throw rocks when you live in a glass hows. Oops I mean shacks lol get with me
LAST TIME I CHECK WE GOT 160 ACRES WHAT DO YALL I GOT..KING LIFE..DO U RESEARCH BEFORE YOU START TALKING SHIT..LET'S DO A DNA TEST & SEE WHO CHUKCHANSI..A LOT OF YOU WILL BE OUT
Look up the meaning of y'all and you will find your answer. I guess we niggas know more than you can even think. To bad you can do that for yourself and that's why you mad because we not white huh. What's the difference we all mixed with something... I'm done with this blog shit bet neither one of you can say this to none of our faces when you see us at the meetings or in public. I'll just let you vent to someone who cares because really we don't. You will never say it and that's your problem. Keep hoping for that miracle while living horribly and waiting for that small as check every month. But you gone need us again like always LOL.
Why would you being white make you any better?????? I am chukchansi, I have one of the highest blood quantum in the tribe, AND no my family is not inbred or cousin f*****. Blood is blood, not skin color. If you got the blood and the land and relationship is what matters. How many were raised native lived native speak and breathe native?
I can't believe that this blog has become this...it is not about the color of skin, it is not about someone’s personal Indiscretions. The problem is some of you have lost sight to the purpose of the casino. The casino was to better this tribe, it was to restore the Indian name and heritage, it was to take care of our children and elders. Along the way the love of money became the driving force behind everything that you thought and desired. When you are praying to Mother Earth, do you think you are being blessed? Do you believe the creator is pleased? Mess cannot be blessed! You all have become comfortable in getting stuff instead of earning stuff. You are given jobs that you don't qualify for, because you’re Indian, you are paid above minimum wage at a rate of $15 an hour and you still don't want to work. It is amazing that you guys are in charge of millions of dollars and you don't know or have a clue how to manage the money. You are consistent in one thing and that is proving the world right about the native people, you will never be anything. You will never prosper. You will have small things and swindle off the big things. You will sell your soul to the devil for $400 a month per capita or over $50k for sitting on the board. I know the world is about who you know but you Indians have taken it to the extreme. Last I checked, there was a problem with councils taking money and you claim to have some so called proof, but yet they aren't be prosecuted, could it be because now that the gavel has changed and you receive something on the back end, it's ok? You are consistent in stabbing your own families in the back to get your own foot in the door. Some of you have been a part of the mountains for a long time and don’t know your own family members. Now you all have resorted to talk about people’s nationality because they are darker than you, or you don’t want to take the time to get to know them, but last I checked no one is pure anything, except pure assholes! The word Nigger that you are so comfortable in using doesn’t really make any real black people mad, who have jobs, taking care of their families and minding their own business, that word to you seems to have given you some much needed power, it made you feel good to call other Niggers….that is nothing but a childish and ignorant person, If you are honest about it, more than half you don't reside on the land, you live down in the city. It sounds to me like some of this post especially the racial comments are from young people who probably don't know their own history for themselves, you are going by what you are listening to the older folks say. Do you know the language or are you comfortable with Indian tattoos on your body? Because you know the handshake and can say Hil-le Hil-le that makes you more Chukchansi than the next person. If the Chukchansi name wasn't a joke in the Indian community before… it sure is right now. Some of should be ashamed of yourself for being so stupid and disrespectful. You are a disgrace to the Native American heritage.
a ho'!!! you said it "anonymous"...many chukchansi people have lost what it means to practice the indian way of caring for all of the people and placing the welfare of the circle before themselves...they have learned negativity and hatred from their elders that have spewed it , frequently and openly, for the past 15 years...chukchansi people have forgotten how to be human be human beings...disgraceful indeed, and self-decimating our chukchansi people into oblivion...
Makes one wonder why the Internal Revenue Service isn't looking into the tax implications of people stealing money?
IF they take money, they still owe the treasury taxes. When will the indictments come?
i find it ironic that casino general manager jeff livingston was prosecuted to the letter of the law and persecuted by the picayune tribal council as a thief "needing to be made an example of" in regard to stealing from the tribe for what amounted to less that $25,000--HE received a three year sentence in federal prison....
some of our own picayune tribal government officials are guilty of stealing MILLIONS, (allegedly) including from housing back before the casino existed and continuing through today, from using tribal credit cards for inappropriate purposes, to embezzling funds through chukchansi inc, to blatantly walking into the casino cage and walking out with millions of dollars...just the mere ALLEGATION of these crimes should trigger a federal investigation and an audit...so what gives? why have state and federal government agencies NOT stepped in to make certain this is investigated when picayune is in violation of the state compact, it's revenue allocation plan, the picayune constitution, and federal laws in regard to embezzlement of funds?...and this doesn't even cover the charges that could be filed over the stabbing, bear macing, arson, etc. involved in the melee along the way, nor the fact that the tribe has violated the tribal, civil and human rights of over a THOUSAND chukchansi people through disenrollment....
cathy l. cory
chukchansi
Interesting to see how low some people can sink in their commentary here.
Sad that they can't comment on a higher plane.....
It is sad to see what is happening in Indian country. Corruption and greed have made a home for themselves within the mist of our people. Lets face it, we as a people have know only hardship and uncertainty for the last 500 years. We are not used to having money, that is the majority of us, so when it comes easily through profit sharing we lose something within ourselves. I would say that this does not happen to everyone for there are some who have done the right thing. Seriously how does this make you feel. What side would you say you are on. Those who are still tribal and receiving casino money will not like what I have to say. and others who have never been given the opportunity to be tested by sudden wealth and power will not be happy either. As I have read the comments I see a people much like those of us from Pechanga who would rather get rid of the casino so that a true healing can take place, for we have lost our path and the circle is broken, and there is only destruction of the lies and hate are not danced away. New dances must be made to tell the tail of the curse of the casino.
What's even sadder is the truth today. "ALL" were recognized "ALL ELDERS" before IGRA was created. "ALL ELDERS" felt that the creator brought forward a new beginning for "ALL".
Now the "EGO of Individuals" have effected to prospect of "ALL" and brought out the negative lies and misconception of being Indian. Our ancestors new the true feelings, even when they disagreed on subjects. Today Factions let the "EGO" try and justify mislead information.
Sad, very sad.
I want, I want, I am willing to lie to be a casino Indian. ( even if I am white).
It's true, not many would would claim chukchansi or any tribe for that matter if the casino weren't around. We were much better off without the casino and Marian ramirez never wanted the casino she wanted heath clinic and maybe a bingo hall.. Jane wyatt and wyatts stole the recognition out of greed thinking they would be on top. They should be held accountable for the damage of all lives affected. The casino should shut down so the true people can come together to heal without outside greed fueling the feud. I remember before the casino the people here the stories shared. We want our real tribe back, the tribe that's always been here always will be here and always took part in tribal affairs. Close the casino and heal our tribe.
Look the eagle in the eye, close your casino ,make us respect you!
so much for "Chukchansi Says their Casino is Safe: It's ONLY a tribal dispute"...jus' sayin'...
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