Rival factions of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California are due in court next month as their casino remains closed for the third straight month.
A group led by Nancy Ayala and Reggie Lewis has been in control of the Chukchansi Gold Resort &
Casino. The facility closed on October 9, 2014, when Tex McDonald and his allies attempted a takeover that led to criminal charges against 15 people.
McDonald remains in jail on $2.4 million bail. Yet another group, this one led by Morris Reid, claims McDonald has been using tribal funds to pay for his attorneys.
Reid is also accusing the Ayala/Lewis group of failing to pay per capita payments to all tribal members. Reid is asking a federal judge to hold Ayala and Lewis in contempt and to appoint a receiver to oversee the tribe's funds.
A hearing is scheduled for February 11, The Fresno Bee reported.
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Judge’s order violated as Chukchansi tribal factions continue to bicker
(The Fresno Bee 1/9)
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