Opponents of Graton Rancheria dispute old gaming agreement

Wednesday, August 8, 2012  

Opponents of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in California are raising a new challenge as part of a lawsuit in state court.

In 2003, the tribe signed a agreement with the city of Rohnert Park to share revenues and address the impacts of a casino. The Stop the 101 Coalition claims the deal is invalid because the tribe changed gaming sites.

As a result, the group claims the tribe has violated its Class III gaming compact, which was recently allowed to go into effect by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Neither the tribe, nor the BIA, are named in the lawsuit, which was filed against Gov. Jerry Brown (D).

The tribe has begun construction on the casino and plans to take on $800 million in debt, according to a rating from Standard & Poor's.

Get the Story:
Rohnert Park casino opponents challenge revenue-sharing agreement (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 8/8)

Graton Rancheria to address water usage issues by gaming site (07/13)