The FRESNO BEE has the story of the corruption... Villain's GOT to VILL...
Saturday’s tribal elections for the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians were supposed to mark another step forward toward tribal unity sought by state and federal regulators. But political wrangling has intensified, driving wedges even deeper between battling factions and likely further delaying the reopening of the tribe’s casino.
One-fourth of the candidates have withdrawn their names from Saturday’s election, while other tribal members say they won’t recognize the election, have established their own councils, and in the case of one faction, plan to hold their own election in December.
Bickering within the interim council triggered a meeting last week between tribal leaders and the National Indian Gaming Commission, which shuttered Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino a year ago. The federal commission and state Attorney General ordered the closure after a gaming office raid resulted in violent encounters leading to the evacuation of patrons and employees.
“Government stability is one of the significant factors in our decision-making process as to whether or not to enter into a settlement agreement for reopening the casino,” Michael Odle, a National Indian Gaming Commission spokesman in Washington, D.C., said last month. “We are looking for assurances that the gaming operation and tribal property can be safe from further conflict.”
The commission’s Sept. 17 letter and meeting came after the tribe’s three gaming commissioners and gaming commission executive director resigned over what was described as violations of the tribe’s gaming ordinance governing hiring and firing.
“The tribal council’s willingness to violate its own tribal gaming laws, particularly while negotiating the settlement of existing (gaming commission) enforcement actions, is alarming,” the commission letter said. “These concerns have a direct impact on the Division of Compliance’s recommendation to the chairman on whether a settlement agreement should be entered into with the tribe.”
I wonder why the National Indian Gatekeepers of Corruption (NIGC) do not bat an eye at rampant corruption and theft at other Indian casinos? Do they actually believe that those in the know, know that they do very little to uphold the integrity of Indian Gaming? Senator McCain is correct in his perception of its lack of oversight and accountability.
ReplyDeleteThe two Indian casinos that have been shut down in California, those operated by Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians and Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians both involved physically violent and (allegedly) armed confrontation. I believe it is the duty of both the California Attorney General and the NIGC to suspend operations at casino's experiencing leadership issues BEFORE it gets to the point of both Picayune and Paskenta. The problems within both tribes were well known to these agencies prior to becoming overwhelming. Tribes who continue to participate in this chaos should have their recognition suspended for a defined period of time, and specific requirements met before being reinstated. Tribes such as these are no longer acting as tribes, which have existed for countless centuries to protect, preserve and benefit all of their members--they are merely corrupt, dysfunctional corporations which hide behind tribal sovereignty to terrorize, disenfranchise and destroy the very people for which they exist to protect. Cathy L. Cory/Chukchansi
ReplyDeleteReggie Lewis and others of his greedy, scumbag ilk know they have no chance to win with the 2010 voters included. He already lost in December 2011 election. So he needs to bail before the vote and pretend in his own fantasy world that those voting were kicked out of the tribe. Then expect the appeals and drama to continue as when he threw his hissy fit the last time he lost an election. Add this loser to the Wall of Shame!
ReplyDeletewast of money and paper and stamps
ReplyDeleteI threw my ballot in the trash its not going to fcking matter because reggie will rig the election those indians on hogans mountain will put him in a wheelchair. Yep yep.
ReplyDeleteAho! My red brothers! We stand behind you. We know who we are!
ReplyDelete$49. million ? That's it ? They were closed down for that ? It is a relief to see NIGC, AG Harris, & Jerry Brown enforcing the gambling laws with out exemptions or special treatment for any casino.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed it is great to see laws being enforced.
ReplyDeleteThe winners were Morris Reid, Thomas Walker, Dixie Jackson, Dora Jones, Claudia Gonzalez, Harrold Hammond And Nokomis Hernandez. Patrick Hammond won 8th place. We all congratulated him as a winner last night, because Dora and Tom are brother and sister and that has not been allowed in our elections.But we find out today Dora will not step aside graciously. She and the rest of the 2010 Council change the election ordinance leaving out the rule about immediate family seating together. To anonymous who said they threw away their ballot, you're right Reggie will appeal. And with sabotage of the voters list causing hundreds of people to receive ballots so late it couldn't be mailed back in time, he now has just cause for an appeal. The IDRS failed to hold an unappealable election in my eyes. All factions have made a big mess. We have 10 days to see if appeals have ruined our election.
ReplyDeleteChukchansi should not be closed. There are other casinos a lot more corrupt than this 1.
ReplyDeleteIt should be imploded as an example of how greedy, corrupt casino tribes should be dealt with.
ReplyDeleteif leaders)never had anything including a decent job and all the sudden they making anything over welfare wages naturally they are going to crazy remember they receive $107,000 a year plus benefits so why would they care about membership some tribal member will not help their own mother or father
ReplyDelete