The leader of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria in California finally broke his silence about his tribe's plans for a casino.
Chairman Greg Sarris hasn't discussed the casino since the tribe signed a Class III gaming compact in late March and he hasn't made a public appearance in connection with the casino in at least three years, The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reported. He appeared at an informational hearing yesterday. "We created something that will indeed benefit Indian and non-Indian alike,” Sarris told the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, the paper reported. Station Casinos, the tribe's partner, said it would seek more than $700 million in bonds and other financing for the project, much higher than the casino's previously reported cost of $433 million. The tribe also doesn't plan to build a hotel in the first phase of development either. The Assembly Governmental Organization Committee will discuss the compact at a hearing today at 1:30pm. Audio is available on the committee's site. Get the Story: