The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, California. Photo © Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians
A federal judge refused a request to reopen the casino owned by the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians as he urged rival factions to come together and settle their differences. The tribe is split into three main factions. Two of them asked Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill to reopen the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino after a clash with a third group forced its closure last Thursday evening. “This shutdown is causing enormous strife and hardship to employees,” O’Neill said in court on Wednesday, The Fresno Bee reported. “I know it’s harming many, many collateral businesses in the community.” But O’Neill said measures to pay employees and vendors can remain in place under the management of the two factions that have united to form a joint council. He adopted a ban on weapons with 1,000 feet of tribal property -- the group that attempted the takeover last week was reportedly armed with stun guns. Reggie Lewis and Nancy Ayala, who were once at odds, are serving as co-chairs of one tribal council on the reservation. The third is led by Tex McDonald, who says his rivals have stole millions from the casino. Regardless of who is or isn't at fault, the National Indian Gaming Commission issued a notice of violation and a temporary closure order to the tribe. Audits for the casino have not been submitted for the past two years in "substantial violation" of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the agency said. The casino will remain closed for at least a couple more weeks while the factions attempt to sort out their differences. The judge told the parties to "Take your jobs seriously" under court-supervised mediation, KMPH reported. The next hearing is scheduled for October 29. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, California v. Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians. Get the Story:
Chukchansi casino to remain closed for several more weeks, judge rules (The Fresno Bee 10/16)
Chukchansi workers can seek jobless benefits as county awaits casino’s fate (The Fresno Bee 10/16)
Judge Rules Chukchansi Casino Closed For At Least Two More Weeks (KVPR 10/16)
Judge orders Chukchansi legal teams to meet, settle dispute (KSFN 10/15)
Chukchansi Casino Remains Closed, Will Issue Paychecks and Pay Bills (KMPH 10/15)
City Beat: Chukchansi casino hearing one for the history books (The Fresno Bee 10/15)
Questions swirl around casino's closure (The Sierra Star 10/15) Some Opinions:
EDITORIAL: Judge makes right call in not reopening Chukchansi casino (The Fresno Bee 10/16)
Our View: Why has no one been arrested in armed Chuckchansi takeover try? (The Merced Sun-Star 10/16)
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Chukchansi Tribe off to court as casino
shuttered another day (10/15)
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