Snoqualmie Tribe confirms removal of gaming regulators

Friday, January 17, 2014  

The Snoqualmie Tribe of Washington created a new gaming commission because the prior one was unprofessional, Chairwoman Carolyn Lubenau said.

Lubenau said the tribe had problems with the commission's prior executive director and manager. The staff frequently threatened to cancel gaming licenses for casino employees "for no reason," the chairwoman told KING 5 News.

"We want professionals," Lubenau said. "You have to be above reproach. You can't have tantrums."

Lubenau said William Papazian, the former chairman of the commission, resigned amicably but he's accusing three executives at the Snoqualmie Casino and two tribal council members of fraud in a lawsuit he filed in federal court. The tribe is not named as a defendant.

Get the Story:
Snoqualmie Tribe responds to allegations over casino operations (KING 5 News 1/17)

Snoqualmie Tribe makes changes at gaming commission (1/16)