California | Litigation | Openings & Closings

Chukchansi Tribe casino dispute leads to lawsuits in federal court

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, California. Photo from Facebook The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians seems to have recovered from a lengthy casino shutdown and leadership dispute but some former employees aren't doing so well.

Nine former police officers, who were working for one faction of the tribe, have filed lawsuits in federal court, The Fresno Bee reported. They are accusing authorities in Madera County, California, of violating their civil rights by arresting them, jailing them and prosecuting them for a clash that occurred at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino in October 2014.

John Oliveira, who was the chief of police for the faction, is among those who have filed a lawsuit. He is is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation and he told The Bee that the arrests have hurt his reputation and those of his fellow officers.

“The nature of our jobs requires security clearances,” Oliveira told the paper. “This clearly affects your reputation, which is clearly part of the hiring process.”

The casino reopened in December 2015 after a 14-month shutdown. The tribe reached a settlement that resolved numerous violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

Read More on the Story:
After Chukchansi raid, tribal police were arrested; now they’re suing Madera County (The Fresno Bee 12/4)

National Indian Gaming Commission Documents:
Settlement Agreement SA-15-01 | NOV-14-03 / TCO-14-02 | TCO-14-01 | TCO-14-01