Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003 | 9:20 a.m.
TAMA, Iowa -- A takeover attempt at Meskwaki tribal offices and the tribe's lucrative casino failed early Wednesday, casino officials said.
Tribal leaders ousted in March by the tribe's hereditary chief, including former Tribal Chairman Alex Walker Jr., and about 20 privately hired security guards entered the casino about 5 a.m.
They broke through a locked door on the second floor leading to the finance, gaming computers and administrator's offices, said Betsy McCloskey, executive marketing director of the casino. A surveillance tape showed a hired guard trying to smash the door's glass window with a baton.
The intruders then were stopped by the casino's regular security guards and escorted from the premises, she and other tribal officials said.
A new council, led by Homer Bear Jr., was appointed in March by the tribal chief after the Walker council ignored recall petitions. The Walker council has been trying to reclaim power ever since. The two groups have squared off in court and before mediators.
Although the casino's regular guards are armed, no weapons were drawn, officials on both sides of the dispute said.
The intruders were escorted to the main lobby, where sheriff's deputies showed up to remove them from the building. Three U.S. marshals also reported to the scene to help maintain order, said Rick Lymburner, chief deputy of the Northern District office in Cedar Rapids.
"It was an unsuccessful takeover attempt. Homer Bear and the appointed council is still in charge of the tribe," McCloskey said.
No one was hurt and there was minimal damage. The only item reported missing was a set of master keys to the casino, a spokesman for the appointed council said.
It was not immediately known if the intruders would face criminal charges.
Officials with the U.S. attorney's office in Cedar Rapids and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Minneapolis said Wednesday morning they were unaware of the incident.
An attorney for the elected council said federal officials were asked to investigate whether the break-in attempt violated any conditions in court orders issued by U.S. District Judge Linda Reade. She ordered the casino closed on May 23 after federal regulators, who refused to recognize the appointed council, declared the casino in violation of federal tribal gaming laws.
The closure forced the layoffs of more than 1,100 workers and closed the spigot on nearly $3 million a week in gambling revenue -- money that provides the $2,000 monthly royalty checks paid each tribal member.
About midmorning, spokesman Eric Woolson said the Walker council had declared itself back in control and asked laid-off workers to report to the casino. McCloskey told workers not to show up -- the casino remained closed.
Walker, in an afternoon news conference, said the takeover is a necessary step to reopening the casino. He said the National Indian Gaming Commission had said a recognized tribal council must be in power before the process to reopen the casino can begin.
"If you want the casino open now, this is the council" that needs to be in charge, Walker said.
Walker also said the elected council must be in power to oversee tribal elections.
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Indian Affairs approved a plan to hold general and recall elections simultaneously on Oct. 21.
Both sides have vowed not to hinder the elections.
"The election will happen," Bear said at a separate news conference Wednesday. "The Meskwaki people will exercise their right to determine for themselves by whom they will be governed.
"It is indeed a sad day for the Meskwaki people when the person who pretends to be the tribe's leader sends in thugs to attempt to thwart the people's will."
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