A view of the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo from Facebook
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina has officially removed three tribal gaming commissioners from their posts. A dispute arose when the commission hired former chief Michell Hicks as the agency's executive director. New Chief Patrick Lambert immediately fired Hicks and initiated removal proceedings for the three regulators, who interviewed and selected the former chief while he was still in office. The commissioners protested their removal and hired Chad Smith, a former chief of the Cherokee Nation, as their attorney, The Cherokee One Feather reported. He suggested having the dispute resolved in tribal court rather that the council, the paper reported. The council, however, has the authority to remove officials, Chairman Bill Taylor said at a meeting on March 24, according to the paper. A majority of tribal members in attendance then voted to remove Bob Blankenship, Don Rose and Sheila Brown, the paper reported. Get the Story:
Tribal Council confirms the removal of three gaming commissioners (The Cherokee One Feather 4/4)
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