Mescalero casino faces federal gambling violations

Wednesday, May 3, 2000 | 12:06 p.m.

Kyle Nayback, spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based commission, declined Tuesday to provide specific details about the nature of the violations, saying it is a confidential matter between the tribe and the federal agency.

The phone rang unanswered this morning at the office of Mescalero Apache President Sara Misquez.

Tribal Council member Harlyn Geronimo has said that three months ago an investigator with the National Indian Gaming Commission informed that tribe that Casino Apache had about 160 violations.

Nayback added that casinos are subject to about 1,600 federal gambling standards, so it would not be unusual for a tribal casino to be found in violation of some.

If the "tribe is out of compliance in a few areas, it could still reflect a good-running operation," Nayback said. "The tribe is working toward correcting those problems," he said.

Last week, dissident Mescalero Apaches complained about Misquez's administration, alleging "blatant abuse of power, violations of civil and human rights" and other alleged wrongdoing. They asked that she and Treasurer Arthur Blazer step down.

Misquez said through a spokeswoman that she would have no comment.