Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/331754
We,theduly-electedTribalCouncilofthePaskentaBandofNomlakiIndians,askyoutoconsider thesefactsandnotbemisledbythreatsofviolenceandotherscaretacticsthatyoumayhear. •KeepingthedoorsopenisimportanttotheRolling Hills Casino employees. The Casino employs over 500 team members, most of who work full time with health care benefits and 401k options. • Keeping the doors open is also important to the community economically. Each year, over 730,000 guests visit Rolling Hills Casino, bringing with them tourist dollars that benefit the local economy. Danger? No. Anger? Absolutely! Yearsofoppressionevidentinthevoiceofthepeopleofthe Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. Here are the Facts We Care for the Community • The Casino is open with no risk to public safety. Repeated rumors and statements to the contrary are untrue. • OnApril 12, when questions were raised by Tribal members about the use of tribal funds, Leslie Lohse, David Swearinger, and Geraldine Freeman abandoned their seats on the Tribal Council, by leaving a General Council meeting before the meeting was adjourned. • On May 10, over 100 Tribal members attended another meeting to affirm the removal of Leslie Lohse, David Swearinger, and Geraldine Freeman from the Tribal Council and order the newly-elected members of the Tribal Council to proceed with its investigation into the fraudulent use of Tribal funds. The meeting was one of the largest General Council meetings in the Tribe's history and the vote was 97% in favor. • The investigation has revealed $10 million in private jet expenses by members of the Pata/Lohse/Crosby family with dozens of trips from Chico to Sacramento and to visit grandchildren. • The tribe's jet remains missing with a $50,000 reward for its return. • The investigation also revealed over $209,000 in allegedpurchasesofgoldandsilverbyJohnCrosby. • John Crosby and members of the Pata family wrote hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal checks to each other from the Tribe's business account. • John Crosby wrote checks from the tribal account for $838,000 for the purchase of a mansion and $600,000 in home improvement expenses including landscaping, a tennis court, pool construction and an outdoor kitchen. • On May 16, the suspended Tribal members coordinated a cyber-attack on the casino's computer system in attempt to shut down the casino and destroy records of documents. This attempt was unsuccessful. • On June 9, BIASuperintendent Troy Burdick issued a cease and desist order requiring the suspended members to end their attempt to block the casino entrance. In thi s letter, Burdick asked the Tribe to settle the dispute pursuant to its laws and procedures. • On June 12, over 100 Tribal Members delivered a petition to the Bureau of IndianAffairs in Sacramento to make it clear that the Tribe overwhelmingly supports the recent actions taken by ChairmanAndrew Freeman to protect the best interests of all Tribal members. • The Casino and the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians are strong community partners supporting local programs through generous grants and sponsorships. The Foundation donates over $600,000 to community organizations each year to benefit local health, safety and education programs. AndrewFreeman Chairman - Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians AndrewAlejandre Secretary Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians AmbrosiaRico Treasurer Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians LatishaMiller Vice Chairperson Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians NatashaMagana Member at Large Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians As you have undoubtedly seen in news reports and perhaps heard around town, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians is engaged in a conflict over the leadership of the Tribe. With suspended Tribal members more desperate than ever to protect themselves from investigation of embezzlement and misconduct, there have been many misleading statements made regarding this conflict. WEDNESDAY,JUNE18,2014 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |ADVERTISEMENT | 3 B