Central Calif. casino to remain closed at least another couple weeks, judge rules
Source: Fresno Bee
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, shut down amid a sometimes violent breakdown in tribal leadership, will remain closed for at least a couple more weeks, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
Federal Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill, who issued a temporary restraining order Friday to close Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino because he believed the health and safety of patrons could not be protected, told lawyers and representatives from the competing leadership factions of the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians to file motions and return to a followup hearing Oct. 29.
The state Attorney General’s office and the National Indian Gaming Commission closed the casino to customers Friday after a fight between two tribal factions forced 500 patrons to leave the casino and hotel Thursday night — some with money on the table and chips to cash in.
... "Our tribe is at an all-time low," member Nicolette Griffith outside the courthouse. "I believe membership, we are supporting stopping the war. I'm pretty sure everyone is at this point. We're tired of it, embarrassed, the shame we felt to see ourselves on the news."
Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/10/15/4179953_chukchansi-factions-gathering.html
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http://abc30.com/news/chukchansi-gold-resort-and%20casino-will-remain-closed-two-weeks-minimum/352329/
... The Chukchansi shutdown is raising financial fears across Madera County. The workforce assistance center says in the past few days it received 40-50 inquiries from casino employees worried about losing their jobs. But with so many questions about the fate of the facility, it's been difficult to give them answers.
David Rogers said, "When you think of 1300 people employed, that's a large payroll."
Madera County Supervisor David Rogers says he's concerned about those workers, plus the million dollars a year the casino is required to give community organizations, and the additional money it contributes to the general fund.
"Chukchansi provides $1 million 67 thousand dollars every year for police and fire," said Rogers. "But if they're not making any money I doubt really seriously we're going to see any of it."