Chukchansi Casino shutdown and power struggle continue
COARSEGOLD, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's been four days since the federal government ordered the shutdown of Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino. Two factions of the Chukchansi tribe have been fighting over the control of the casino.
On Wednesday, a federal judge will decide who is truly in charge of the casino and its affairs. Until then, Madera County Sheriff John Anderson says he is responsible for providing around-the-clock security at the $600 million establishment.
Sheriff Anderson says he's just as confused as the next person when it comes to leadership of the Chukchansi tribe. He said, "We have no idea who's in charge."
On Thursday, 20 armed tribal members who say they have rightful control stormed into the casino, forcing a lockdown.
This is in reaction to a group led by Reggie Lewis taking control of the casino back in August. The tribal council says they believe Lewis' group took over because they were preparing to submit audits to the National Indian Gaming Commission. These are audits that the council says went missing during the time Lewis' group was in office.
"Where is the money moving? Where is it going? And once we started requesting these forensic audits, that's when this dispute just went to the next level," said Tribal Council Vice-Chairwoman Monica Davis.
On the other hand, Lewis and his faction tell Action News they are preparing to submit the missing audits to the NIGC before the deadline at the end of this month. He says their goal is to get the casino back open as soon as possible.
"We are reaching out to them and trying to come to some kind of agreement where we can all be satisfied when the casino does open up," said Lewis.
He says roughly 70 employees have been let back into the building to prepare the resort to reopen at a moment's notice.
We did speak with representatives at Table Mountain Casino in Fresno County, who tell us they've seen a significant increase in business since the closure.
VIDEO: Some Chukchansi Casino employees let back in as shutdown continues
