Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Santa Ysabel casino Files For Bankruptcy, Owes County Three Million

SAN DIEGO -- Amid a long-running dispute with San Diego County over $3 million in unpaid fees, the Santa Ysabel Resort and Casino filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Monday, raising questions over whether the county will get all of its money.

The issue started in 2007, when the facility opened with an agreement it would pay the county $600-thousand every year for infrastructure, law enforcement and other services. But according to a 2011 judgement, the Santa Ysabel Band of Mission Indians never paid, equalling a $3 million bill.

While both sides bicker over whether the tribe's money is eligible for the county, it filed for bankruptcy to "relieve the Casino's financial distress, reorganize its debt and restructure the business", according to court documents.

The tribe's bankruptcy filing lists 50 creditors, with the county owed the most, more than $3 million.  It also owes the California Gambling Control Commission $100-thousand.  State officials tell Fox 5 the tribe is "delinquent" in its payments, but would not elaborate.

Tribal officials declined to comment, but have said in court paying the county could force the casino to close. County attorney Tom Bunton said Tuesday he wasn't sure how the bankruptcy would affect the dispute.

"Hopefully with the bankruptcy we'll get some financial information from the tribe," Bunton said, "We expected the tribe to pay.  It's unfortunate they have not done so."

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

sovereign nation....why even bother filing anything.....enter at your own risk for fear of financial and physical peril should be the definition of sovereignty in Indian country....any rules you thought applied do not exist.

Anonymous said...

Then the city should close the road to the Casino...or do a long construction project to cause delays into the area...

Marsha Kelly said...

To "Anonymous:" Any person or business overwhelmed by debt can file bankruptcy, this has nothing to do with sovereignty. This has to do with greedy San Diego County extorting money from the tribe for nothing, in clear violation of federal law, which does not allow states or counties to demand taxes from tribes. If you think the City should close the road to the casino, you obviously don't give a rat's behind about the hundreds of people who work there. As scarce as jobs are these days, you'd think the county would do everything it can do to work with a major employer instead of deliberately trying to drive it out of business.

Anonymous said...

Yeah whatever....wait for the monetary judgement against the tribe...you will see how fast sovereign nation comes into play....who's going to enforce the collections, the slimmy tribal attorney.

White Buffalo said...

If the tribe willingly entered in to an agreement with the county then they should keep their word and pay what they agreed to pay. I do not think anyone twisted their arm when they negotiated with the county. A reputable business would pay their bills on time. I also think it is foolish to suggest that the county try to impede people from going to the casino. After all it will be the profits from the casino that county gets.

Anonymous said...

the tribe should pay if they had agreements with the city.you cant do both ask the city or things receive them then not pay.who foots the bill the Bankrupty?if you get a service but dont pay it,this may as well have stled something.If the Casino can not compete like any other bussines then what should happen to them like a badly run business shut your doors!

smokeybear said...

As scarce as jobs are these days, you'd think the county would do everything it can do to work with a major employer instead of deliberately trying to drive it out of business.

They would rather get paid for what was promised, but the "Criminal's" refuse too. That's what its all about...."Eagle Eyes."

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