Agency: Siletz gave members free items

Thursday, June 29, 2000 | 9:34 a.m.

The top national Native American gambling regulatory agency accused the Siletz tribal council and its members of violating federal gaming laws by accepting the money in the form of gifts at the tribe's casino - such as dinners and show tickets, during 1999.

Such freebies for council members' personal use is not authorized use of casino revenue, said Kyle Nayback, director of congressional and public affairs for the agency in Washington, D.C. The agency regulates tribal gaming and enforces the nation's Native American gambling laws.

"The purpose of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Indian gaming generally is to provide revenue so that tribal governments can fund social programs and provide for the needs of its tribal members," Nayback said. "What is not within an acceptable use is free personal meals for tribal council members and free show tickets."

Bonnie Petersen, vice chairwoman of the tribal council, issued a statement on behalf of the tribe, saying the tribe is confident a complete review of the expenditures will show that all were legitimate expenses.

"As it is with tribal gaming operations elsewhere, it has been a tribal policy that the Tribal Council, acting as the Gaming Board of Directors, is authorized to issue comps for gaming purposes for marketing and public relations of the casino," Petersen wrote. The tribes consider the comps as operating expenses, not net revenue, she added.

The notice of violation is a civil matter, not criminal, Nayback said, and no fines have been imposed. But the state will be looking into whether state law was violated.

The agency accused the Siletz of violating its own tribal gaming ordinance, the national Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, the agency's regulations and the tribe's gambling compact with Oregon.

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