Chukchansi Casino takeover: Evacuated gamblers say they're owed money

COARSEGOLD, Calif. (KFSN) -- Gamblers and guests who were evacuated on the night of the takeover at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino say the casino still owes them a lot of money.

Action News spoke with Carrie West on October 9 when she was evacuated from the casino following armed men storming inside.

"It was a madhouse, actually. People were coming up and saying, 'You need to evacuate right now,'" West said that night.

Nearly 30 days later, the Wests want several hundred dollars they say they left behind in a hurry.

"It's pretty frustrating because if you are going to run a business you need to do it the proper and legal way, and I don't think taking money from people and keeping it is proper," said West.

If you visit the casino's website, you will find a message that says staff members are working toward paying anyone who has vouchers, chips or left money on the table. But a spokesperson for Reggie Lewis' tribal faction says there's no set date for that to happen because of a federal judge's ruling to keep the casino closed and freeze funds.

"If it weren't for the fact that there was an armed intrusion none of this would happen either. The fact of the matter is our hands are tied and we are limited in what we can do given the federal and state orders," said Roger Salazar.

The opposing faction led by Tex McDonald says the armed men were trying to grab missing audits to hand over to the National Indian Gaming Commission, which was threatening to close everything down. They also say under their leadership, things would be different.

"The money left there is symbolic of misappropriation of the funds that were in the casino. Where in the world is $50 million?" said Monica Davis, the McDonald faction's co-chairperson.

Staff say anyone with vouchers or chips can expect their money back when the casino reopens. They'll review surveillance footage if anyone claims they left cash on the casino floor.