Disputed documents returned to Chukchansi casino

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Three truckloads of documents were returned to the Chukchansi casino building on Thursday afternoon. The documents had been removed from the casino last week, in a dispute between rival factions of the Chukchansi Picayune Rancheria Indian tribe.

A Federal Judge in Fresno on Wednesday ordered the documents returned as one of the conditions of a restraining order, which was aimed at keeping the peace between the factions. But Monica Davis, the Vice Chairperson of the tribal faction that removed the documents last week said they did not belong in the Casino building.

"The documents were originally located in the administration building here on the government compound. So we were restoring our documents, that was the point of bringing the documents back."

In fact, the other faction took the documents from the tribal offices in their own takeover of casino operations several weeks ago. Davis maintains her faction was looking for financial documents requested by the NIGC, or National Indian Gaming Commission.

"We were trying to find the 2012 and 2013 financial audits the NIGC needs that was one of our goals is to get those back again," said Davis.

But Reggie Lewis, the chairman of the other tribal faction says the documents were nothing but personnel records.

"There's been a misconception about what those records are," said Lewis. "I know they said they had to get them back because of the audit. Those papers had nothing to do with the audit. Those papers were for the personnel here."

With the documents returned to either the right or wrong place, the next step in the judge's order, for both sides to get together and talk. Lewis told Action News there is renewed motivation for such talks.

"We've tried this before but the casino was open," said Lewis. "With the casino down it may finally get these people to come to the table. Because as I see it if we don't get this worked out there's a good possibility it could stay closed. We don't know how long."

And Davis agrees, both sides want the casino opened.

Davis added, "I think we could sit down with one another for the betterment of the community and the tribe we can sit down and talk with one another about what the goals are, so yes I think we can sit down."

When and if the casino reopens will be up to the National Indian Gaming Commission. Once they say gambling can resume, the Federal restraining order imposed on Wednesday will be lifted.