Hogen says NIGC 'last to know' about convicted felon

Tuesday, January 18, 2005  

National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Phil Hogen is concerned because the agency was the "last to know" that the top regulator for a California tribe is a convicted felon.

Gilbert Cash resigned from his post with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians on the same day The Los Angeles Times reported that he pleaded no contest to a felony charge of spousal abuse way back in November [See Tribal Statement]. But the NIGC didn't know until last week.

"We have expressed our disappointment that we had to learn about it from a newspaper reporter rather than from the tribe," Hogen told The Times. "We're going to try to improve communication and cooperation so we're not the last to know."

The Times has reported extensively about the tribe's successful casino and the changes it brought to the small tribe.

Get the Story:
Head of Tribal Gaming Panel Resigns (The Los Angeles Times 1/18)
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