For Immediate Release ~ August 5, 2005
Contact: Shawn Pensoneau ~ (202) 632-7003

Washington, DC  — Yesterday, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) lost one of its longtime employees to cancer, Gregory E. Bergfeld who served with the NIGC for the past 7 years. Greg served briefly as a field investigator before being appointed Director of the NIGC Region II Office, located in Sacramento California in January of 1998.

Greg brought tremendous law enforcement experience to the NIGC having served for close to 30 years in various positions with the Amador County Sheriff's Office, Calaveras County Sheriff's Office and Alpine County Sheriff's Office.  "It has been a tragic time for NIGC staff and all of those who have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Greg over the years" Chairman Phil Hogen said yesterday.  Hogen added, "Greg Bergfeld led the federal regulatory effort in Indian gaming during the most dramatic growth.  Greg had great insight into the relationship between the California Tribes, the communities where they are located and the State of California.  He was the right leader at the right time and will be sorely missed by all at NIGC and the Indian gaming community."

Greg passed away at his home with his family yesterday morning after battling cancer for the past several months.  He is survived by his wife Karen, and three children.

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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