California tribal dispute leads to casino closure

COARSEGOLD, Calif. (AP) – An Indian casino remained closed Friday after a clash between competing factions of the Central California Native American tribe that owns it, sheriff’s officials said.

The clash at the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino in Coarsegold started after someone cut power to the resort Thursday night and employees went home and patrons were evacuated, Madera County sheriff’s spokeswoman Erica Stuart told the Fresno Bee.

Monica Davis, a representative of one faction of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, said members of her group went into the casino in the Sierra foothills in an attempt to find two years of missing audits.

The National Indian Gaming Commission has informed the casino that it could be closed on Oct. 27 if the missing audits are not submitted. The commission says casino officials have not filed financial statements and audits dating back to 2012.

The tribe also faces fines of up to $100,000 per day dating back to April 30.

Sheriff’s deputies served as peacekeepers inside the casino, and the sheriff acted as mediator between the two sides throughout Thursday night, Stuart said.

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Information from: The Fresno Bee, http://www.fresnobee.com