For Immediate Release                    

Contact: Shawn Pensoneau

(202) 632-7003

NIGC CHAIRMAN COMMENTS ON INDICTMENTS OF FORMER TRIBAL OFFICIALS

Washington, D.C., August 30, 2006 - 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 accordingly, regulation must keep pace with this growth if the integrity of the industry is to be protected.”

The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

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