Judge won't force HUD to release $3M to Chukchansi Tribe

Monday, January 13, 2014  

A federal judge won't force the Department of Housing and Urban Development to release $3 million to the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians of California.

HUD has withheld the money due to a leadership dispute. One faction went to court to obtain the funds but Judge David Campbell said he can't interfere in the tribe's internal affairs.

"Federal courts lack jurisdiction to decide intra-tribal disputes," Campbell wrote in the December 30, 2013, decision.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians v. Henriquez.

Get the Story:
HUD withholds $3 million from Chukchansi tribe (The Fresno Bee 1/11)

Nancy Ayala: Handling the daily business of Chukchansi Tribe (10/31)
Meeting fails to resolve leadership dispute in Chukchansi Tribe (09/17)
Chukchansi Tribe missing out on funds amid leadership dispute (09/03)