The police chief hired by one of the factions of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians said last week that state and federal laws are being violated in the Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, California.
In a statement last week Police Chief Clay Parker declared, “It’s become very clear that laws are being broken and money is being mishandled at the Rolling Hills Casino, leaving the tribe in jeopardy of being robbed of millions of dollars, and potentially being forced to shut down their casino.”
He said that he is even more worried about the safety of individual tribal members, the public and casino employees.
“What has become clear is that the Paskenta Tribe is under siege, completely out of control of its casino, and unless a federal agency steps in, this could truly turn violent,” he said. The situation has been fanned because some tribal members refuse to recognize his authority.
The chief, who formerly was Sheriff of Tehama County, alleges improper payouts, unlicensed casino operators and unlicensed gunmen.
The tribal power struggle includes four tribal council members who were ousted when they challenged tribal chairman Andrew Freeman’s attempt to dis-enroll 70 members of three tribal families of the 300-member tribe.
The ousted council members, Vice Chairman David Swearinger, Treasurer Leslie Lohse, Secretary Geraldine Freeman and member-at-large Allen Swearinger, refused to be kicked out of the council, and challenged the appointment of members to replace them. They are being backed as the legitimate council by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Chairman Freeman claims that the suspended members are guilty of embezzlement and fraud.
Meanwhile the National Indian Gaming Commission has reportedly sent investigators to assess the situation at the casino.
An investigative team of former FBI agents hired by the tribe to review procedures at the casino uncovered the unsecured cash drops and efforts to dilute money-handling practices. All of these are potential or actual violations of federal law, they say.
They also back up claims that the casino’s non-Indian management known as the Rosette-Casino Group has allowed tens of millions of dollars to slip out the door.
Shortly after the general council meeting in which the four council members were ousted, armed gunmen took over the casino. Patrons are allowed to enter and leave through a single door and are guarded by armed guards while they play. Some of the armed security guards don’t have permits to operate with firearms, the investigators allege.
The reconstituted council has attempted to reassert control over the casino without success. On May 16 it ordered the casino closed, however it remains open.
