Casino Indians Among Top Tax Cheaters in California

So, this is an answer to the question: Do Indians have to pay state taxes? YES, they do, if they live off the reservation. And now, thanks to the new list from the Franchise tax board, we KNOW who isn't paying from the RICHEST tribe in the state, the San Manuel Band.

Four San Manuel tribal members, including one who sits on the tribe's business committee, have made the Franchise Tax Board's list of the top 250 delinquent taxpayers in the state.

The board started publishing the list annually in 2007, which lists the top 250 taxpayers with liened state income tax delinquencies greater than $100,000.

Byron Marquez, a former minor league baseball player and brother of former tribal chairman Deron Marquez, is delinquent $439,024.47 as of April 2, 2008.

Marquez is director of business relations for the San Bernardino Inland Empire 66ers. He is also the president of the team's family outreach program and is director of the 66ers' dance team.

Stephanie Bustamante, the secretary of San Manuel's business committee, is delinquent $481,453 as of December.

Tribal member Kenneth Ramirez was delinquent $470,255.95 as of Nov. 4.

Tribal member Martin Hernandez Jr. was delinquent $700,092.87 as of Oct. 14.

SO GAMING IS COSTING US MONEY, as Californians. This is $2.1 MILLION that the San Manuel members are CHEATING Californians. How many teachers could keep their jobs if they paid what they owe?