Today, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California
announced wide ranging indictments of seven former officials of the Coyote
Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Among other things, these charges include
obstruction of justice and conspiracy relating to obstructing and impeding a
2003 audit by the NIGC under the terms of a 2001 settlement agreement
between the Band and the NIGC. “This is a sad day for Indian gaming; these
indictments further emphasize the need for strong Federal oversight of the
Indian gaming industry,” Chairman Phil Hogen stated. Chairman Hogen added,
“The NIGC is committed to providing strong oversight and will continue to
work with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that gaming revenues are
protected and preserved to achieve the goals of the Indian Gaming Regulatory
Act.” Chairman Hogen went on to say, “As Indian gaming continues to grow and
as operations become more complex and sophisticated and as revenues continue
to increase, regulation must keep pace with these changes if the integrity
of the industry is to be protected.”