Chukchansi Tribal Council Official Statement On Rogue Faction's Frivolous Lawsuit

COARSEGOLD, Calif., Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, the rogue faction led by Reggie Lewis and Chance Alberta is trying to pass off pages of lies as the truth. This latest lawsuit dreamed up by their team of lawyers is one more attempt to sabotage the Chukchansi Tribe and siphon off tribal resources for their own use.

The lies are legion: There was no illegal $300,000 cash payment made to the on-rancheria Council that runs the Tribe's day-to-day affairs. There has not been a BIA ruling "recognizing Reggie Lewis as the Chairman of the Chukchansi Tribe." There has never been a BIA ruling that "recognized the Tribal Council led by Reggie Lewis as the only governing body authorized to act on behalf of the Tribe." Nor has the on-rancheria Council or its lawyer ever "threatened violence."

Every one of those statements is absolute fiction.

The truth? The only payments being made to the on-rancheria government are funds absolutely vital to the operation of the Tribe's casino and to provide necessary service to elders, children and families. That is exactly what the on-rancheria Council does every day: We run the Tribe. The funds paid to the on-rancheria Tribal Council and the on-rancheria Tribal Gaming Commission are paid legally, pursuant to the order of New York State Supreme Court Justice Melvin Schweitzer. His Honor clearly stated "if there is a Tribal Gaming Commission on the premises doing its job now, that's the Tribal Gaming Commission that should be getting paid. The fact that there is also a shadow Tribal Gaming Commission that also exists, but is not working now" is a moot point.

Additionally, the BIA's regional director noted that "the BIA does not have the authority to determine the Tribe's permanent leadership." The regional director's opinion, since appealed, did not declare a new chairman, nor did it remove the authority of the on-rancheria Council that runs the Tribe's day-to-day operations and the Chukchansi Gold resort and casino. All that narrow ruling did was state that the federal government would, for the purposes of negotiating some contracts, temporarily recognize a council empaneled in 2010.

The BIA's opinion changed nothing about the day-to-day operation of the Tribe and its casino. As for the latest Lewis lawsuit, all it will do is cost the Tribe thousands of dollars more in legal fees for Lewis' team of lawyers – before its likely dismissal by the federal court, similar to past Lewis legal maneuvers.

It's sad, but hardly surprising, to see the Lewis faction using the justice system to feed their greed and sabotage our Tribe. Everything they do and every lie they spread is aimed at seizing Chukchansi funds – monies used to help elders, children and families – to use for their own selfishness. The on-rancheria Council will continue to do everything in our power to protect the Chukchansi people. We will not let the liars win.

Tex McDonald, vice chair (acting chair)
Nancy Ayala, chair (on suspension)
Lynda Appling (secretary)
Vernon King (treasurer)
Charles Sargosa (member-at-large)
Amanda Ramirez (member-at-large)
Donna Featherstone (member-at-large)

Contact:
David Leibowitz
602.317.1414
[email protected]

SOURCE Chukchansi Tribal Council