The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is helping fund a petition drive in Memphis, Tennessee, the Associated Press reports.

The tribe has a contract with former local Democratic Party Chairman Sidney Chism, who said he hired a top aide to Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton. The aide, Gale Jones Carson, was paid $700 to supervise signature-gathering for the petition.

The petition seeks a countywide referendum that would create a five-member commission to consider a casino in Memphis. Chism said 20,000 to 30,000 people have signed the petition.

Get the Story:
Memphis mayor's aide paid to help petition drive (AP 8/26)

Relevant Links:
Cherokee Nation - http://www.cherokee.org