Tejon Tribe announces plans for casino at undisclosed location


Map shows Mettier, California, and intersections of highways 99 and 166, near where the Tejon Tribe is acquiring land for a casino. Image from Google Maps

The Tejon Tribe of California has announced plans for a casino.

The tribe is in the process of acquiring a site in Mettier, near the intersections of highways 99 and 166. But the exact location hasn't been identified due to a pending sale, KBAK/KBFX reported.

The tribe was placed back on the list of federally recognized entities in January 2012. An investigation later said former assistant secretary Larry Echo Hawk did so without following any sort of "discernible process."

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, generally, bars gaming on land acquired after 1988. But Section 20 of the law contains an exception for tribes that were restored to federal recognition.

The Tejon Tribe presumably qualifies for an exception.

Get the Story:
Tejon Tribe announces casino plans in south Kern County (KBAK/KBFX 6/25)

DOI Inspector General Report:
Investigative Report of the Tejon Indian Tribe (April 2013)

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