The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, California. Photo © Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians
The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California faces closure of its casino after failing to submit audits to the National Indian Gaming Commission. Tribal officials and regulators have acknowledged that they failed to submit their financial statements and compliance reports for the past two fiscal years. But since they haven't corrected the deficiencies, the NIGC issued a notice of violation to close the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino on October 27. The tribe and the casino are in "substantial violation" of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, acting NIGC Chairman Jonodev Chaudhuri said in the notice. The casino has been at the center of an ongoing leadership dispute within the tribe. One faction controls the headquarters while another is running the gaming facility. "This is disgraceful,” Tex McDonald, who serves as chairman of the faction that controls the tribe's headquarters, said in a press release. McDonald accused the faction that controls the casino of stealing money. But an attorney for the rivals said they are going to submit the required audits to the NIGC and avoid closure of the facility. Get the Story:
Chukchansi casino faces closure, huge federal fines for missing audits (The Fresno Bee 10/8)
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