Snoqualmie Tribe making changes at gaming commission

Thursday, January 16, 2014  

The Snoqualmie Tribe of Washington is being accused of an illegal takeover of its gaming commission.

William Papazian resigned as chairman of the gaming commission in November 2013. He is suing three executives at the Snoqualmie Casino and two tribal council members, whom he says forced out his fellow regulators and other employees.

The tribe is now running "an illegal, unregulated gambling operation," Papazian alleges in a lawsuit that was filed in federal court last week, KING 5 News reported.

The tribe is not named in the suit but called Papazian's allegations "baseless" and said it would defend those who are named.

Papazian now serves as chairman of the gaming commission for the Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians in California, according to his LinkedIn profile.

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Fmr. Snoqualmie gaming commissioner calls casino operation 'illegal' (KING 5 News 1/15)