Chukchansi Tribe failed to make $12M casino bond payment

Thursday, April 4, 2013
Filed Under: California | Litigation | NIGC
More on: chukchansi, debt

The Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold, California. Photo © Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians.

The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians of California missed a $12 million casino bond payment on April 1, triggering a 30-day grace period before the tribe goes into default, The Sierra Star reported.

The tribe has fallen into three factions. One group, led by Nancy Ayala, controls the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, but lacks access to the tribe's bank accounts.

For that reason, casino employees have been told they won't see a direct deposit of their paychecks, the Star reported. That's also why the bond payment was missed.

A different group run by Reggie Lewis controls the bank accounts. Yet a third group, led by Morris Reid, filed a lawsuit against the National Indian Gaming Commission, disputing the Lewis group's claim to power.

Get the Story:
Tribe has 30-day grace period to pay casino bonds (The Sierra Star 4/3)

An Opinion:
Casino-fueled greed could bring demise of Chukchansi (The Fresno Bee 4/3)