We have received permission from Bill Lawrence publisher and editor of the
Ojibwe News/Native American Press and reporters Gary Blair and Jeff
Armstrong to forward articles pertaining to government reform movement in
the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
Leech Lake Casinos may be shut down--
On Nov. 14 the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) issued an ultimatum
giving Leech Lake until Dec. 3. to resolve a licensing dispute over gaming
management or shut down it two casinos , Northern Lights and Palace Bingo
and Casino.
Refusing to recognize chairman Eli Hunt's dismissal of former
gaming director Charlie Brown and controller George Wells, the Reservation
Business Committee -- which also functions and the Leech Lake Gaming
Commission--has refused to license their replacements, who have
successfully completed background checks.
Outside the context of a power struggle with the new chairman and
continued revelation of corruption on the part of the incumbent officials,
the RBC's steadfast support for the former casino management is difficult
to understand. Although revenues from the casinos have risen to more than
$32 million annually, profits declined nearly 400% in the past fiscal year.
Federal officials recently subpoenaed casino financial records to
investigate possible criminal wrongdoing.
Two former RBC/Gaming Commission members are serving time for
corruption; a third, Myron Ellis, still sits on the Committee and the
Commission despite his conviction and prison sentence on similar charges.
The two dueling factions issued press releases on tribal council
stationery, each accusing the other side of refusing to negotiate the
dispute.
As band officials, the district representative are in violation of
Article VI, of the Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe by failing to recognize the dismissals," said a press
release from Hunt.
"Their continued insubordination in complying with executive
authorities of the Chairman will result in NIGC enforcement action. . .
The consequence of closure rests on the compliance of the Council District
Representative to recognize and concur with the dismissals and subsequent
appointments," said Hunt, who offered a date of Nov. 21 for negotiations.
A press statement from the district representative quotes NIGC
chairman Harold Monteau's letter as stating, "Initially, the NIGC
determined, that despite the express requirements of the Band's gaming
ordinance, certain regulatory decisions related to the band's griming
operation were being made without the approval of the Tribal Council."
RBC member Jack Seelye is quoted in the release as saying, "I'm not
sure what it will take for Hunt to realize that what he is doing is the
worst possible thing for the Leech Lake people.
Despite years of allegations of fraud and ties of certain casino
management officials to organized crime, NIGC commissioner Tom Foley
praised gaming operations in the region at a recent MCT Tribal Executive
Committee meeting, "I'm grateful for the gaming operations in the upper
Midwest," said Foley.
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Editorial opinion by Bill Lawrence
It should be obvious by now that the renewed threat by (NIGC) chairman
Harold Monteau, a Clinton appointee, to close down the two Leech Lake
casinos is politically motivated.
The Leech Lake RBC "Gang of Four" and their ENABLERS with all the
new-found casino funds have significant ties to the Democratic Party. With
the '96 elections now over, it is only fitting that Monteau use some of the
spoils from his office as NIGC chairman--which is essentially the new
Indian czar--to intimidate Leech Lake tribal chairman Eli Hunt into
capitulating to the Gang of Four.
How else could you read his action here at Leech Lake, with its
relatively minor infractions to the gaming act, in comparison to the
ripoffs of other casinos by tribal officials, unscrupulous managers and
management companies. In addition, due to Hunt's appointment of the two
gaming official, i.e. Martin Jennings as gaming manager and Burton Howard
as Controller, the Leech Lake casinos are being run the cleanest that they
ever have been run in their history.
It is apparent that the ENABLERS of the Gang of Four are desperate
for something to happen before the federal Grand Jury meets on December 4
in Minneapolis in its probe of Leech Laske RBC's expenditure of gaming
funds, records of which were supoenaed last week by the U.S. Attorney's
Office. It must have taken a lot of political clout to get Monteau to send
the letter to the Leech Lake RBC at this time. In addition to the gaming
documents, the U.S. Attorney's Office has also subpoenaed all records
pertaing to the expenditure of leech lake tribak general funds, including
travel funds and the use of credit cards. Based upon past experiences and
common knowledge around the Leech Lake Reservationm it is anticipated that
the December Grand Jury hearing will lead to a new round of federal
indictments.
So you can see why the gang and their ENABLERS will go to any
length, or call in any card, to save their hides. It should be very
interesting indeed to see how deep into the leech Lake administration the
new Grand Jury probe goes.
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Bernard J. Rock, Sr.
Leech Lake Pillager Band
Spotted Eagle Warrior Society
North Central Minnesota Native American Veterans
Outreach and Resource Center