Received a communique from Dennis Chappabitty concerning the need for enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act, which we have discussed before. HERE and ICRA Oversight Request
I am representing a young Indian woman who was subjected to sexual harassment at the Quapaw Downstream Casino and she has no legal recourse to pursue a legal remedy in federal or state courts. Please forward as we intend to demand that Congress amend the ICRA to allow recourse into the federal courts to seek justice in situations like this
No recourse for women from Native Tribes? Time for a change. Time for tribes to stand up against those tribes that will be responsible for eroding tribal sovereignty.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Pechanga Steals $4,700,000 per month, no news; Gives $42,000 to charities and Local News Swoon
That's right. Pechanga steals $4.7 million per month, (per capita was $20,000 per month when Hunter Family was disenrolled, over 235 people cut off, including Manuela Miranda family). They just gave a WHOPPING $42K to some local charities.
Now let's see, Pechanga keeps an additional $53 MILLION per year, yet gives out about 100 grand. Let's put this in perspective:
A housewife, spends all day cleaning the home, from top to bottom, windows, dusts the house including baseboards, bathrooms, five loads of laundry, dusts the blinds, changes the sheets mows the yard, front AND back, takes the kids to school and soccer practice, cooks dinner, sews her own clothes, does dishes and puts them away. Then the husband proudly says, "look honey, I emptied my OWN ashtray!"
Newspapers: $42,000 is NOTHING.
Now let's see, Pechanga keeps an additional $53 MILLION per year, yet gives out about 100 grand. Let's put this in perspective:
A housewife, spends all day cleaning the home, from top to bottom, windows, dusts the house including baseboards, bathrooms, five loads of laundry, dusts the blinds, changes the sheets mows the yard, front AND back, takes the kids to school and soccer practice, cooks dinner, sews her own clothes, does dishes and puts them away. Then the husband proudly says, "look honey, I emptied my OWN ashtray!"
Newspapers: $42,000 is NOTHING.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
White House Supports CLEAN "Carcieri Fix"; Feinstein Not With The Program
In a story from Indian Country Today, Gail Toensing reports that the White House wants a clean fix without changes to legislation concerning trust land. In an earlier post, we discussed Sen. Dianne Feinstein's position.
The White House has reiterated its support for a “Carcieri fix” – legislation confirming the federal government’s authority to take Indian land into trust for general purposes, while the Interior Department has distanced itself from a senator’s proposal that would virtually eliminate off reservation trust land for gaming.
“I think everyone in the administration that’s talked about it has made it very clear that we support the clean Carcieri fix,” White House spokesman Shin Inouye told Indian Country Today Nov. 23. “The president has said that, the Secretary (of Interior) has said that, we’ve said that in all our letters and testimony to Congress. Is there some confusion out there about our position?”
If there is confusion, it’s due to a controversy that’s blurring the distinction between two major pieces of Indian law – the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act, which provides land into trust for general purposes other than gaming, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a section of which deals with gaming on “newly acquired land” – that is, land acquired after IGRA was enacted in October 1988.
See MORE HERE
Follow Original Pechanga's Blog on Twitter: @opechanga and for more stories on Pechanga Corruption, check out these links: Apartheid at Pechanga Pechanga Dishonors Its Veterans Pechanga Chairman Macarro Lies to Congress
The White House has reiterated its support for a “Carcieri fix” – legislation confirming the federal government’s authority to take Indian land into trust for general purposes, while the Interior Department has distanced itself from a senator’s proposal that would virtually eliminate off reservation trust land for gaming.
“I think everyone in the administration that’s talked about it has made it very clear that we support the clean Carcieri fix,” White House spokesman Shin Inouye told Indian Country Today Nov. 23. “The president has said that, the Secretary (of Interior) has said that, we’ve said that in all our letters and testimony to Congress. Is there some confusion out there about our position?”
If there is confusion, it’s due to a controversy that’s blurring the distinction between two major pieces of Indian law – the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act, which provides land into trust for general purposes other than gaming, and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, a section of which deals with gaming on “newly acquired land” – that is, land acquired after IGRA was enacted in October 1988.
See MORE HERE
Follow Original Pechanga's Blog on Twitter: @opechanga and for more stories on Pechanga Corruption, check out these links: Apartheid at Pechanga Pechanga Dishonors Its Veterans Pechanga Chairman Macarro Lies to Congress
Friday, November 26, 2010
Sen. Dianne Feinstein asks Dept. of Interior to Draft Language Keeping Gaming from Tribes Seeking Land into Trust.
California Senator Dianne Feinstein has received draft language from the Department of Interior, which will place requirements on certain lands to be used for the purposes of Indian gaming. This will have a direct effect on some tribes gaining the self-reliance that the big gaming tribes received and implemented under Props. 1A and 5.
We have embedded communications, including a response to Rep. Tom Cole asking for information on the matter.
The money portion of the language Sen. Feinstein is seeking:
gaming shall not be conducted on land taken into trust by the Federal Government after the date of enactment of this aAct, unless the Secretary of the Interior determines when taking into trust for gaming purposes that the Indian tribe demonstrates -
1. A substantial direct modern connection to the land taken into trust; and
2. a substantial direct aboriginal connection to the land taken into trust.
WHO benefits from language like this? Certainly NOT tribes who would benefit from gaming? Only those tribes that ALREADY have gaming would benefit for the lack of competition for gaming customers. So is that who Sen. Dianne Feinstein is doing this for? WHY Senator, would you jump through hoops for tribes that already have gaming, instead of working to HELP tribes that do not? IF gaming is the engine for tribal self-reliance, wouldn't we want ALL tribes to benefit from Gaming. Really, Senator, is it more important for tribes like Pechanga, which has stolen $300 million from rightful tribal people, or the Picayune Rancheria, which has eliminated 50% of their tribe to benefit? Shouldn't you and Senator Barbara Boxer be working on enforcing the Indian Civil Rights Act instead? Please Sen. Feinstein, don't say you "didn't know" what tribes have done. We sent you hundreds of letters on Pechanga's Land Transfer.
Who is lobbying for this? IETAN?
DoI Response to Rep. Cole 11-18-2010 and Sen. Feinstein 11-03-2010.[1]
Senator, please RETHINK this issue.
We have embedded communications, including a response to Rep. Tom Cole asking for information on the matter.
The money portion of the language Sen. Feinstein is seeking:
gaming shall not be conducted on land taken into trust by the Federal Government after the date of enactment of this aAct, unless the Secretary of the Interior determines when taking into trust for gaming purposes that the Indian tribe demonstrates -
1. A substantial direct modern connection to the land taken into trust; and
2. a substantial direct aboriginal connection to the land taken into trust.
WHO benefits from language like this? Certainly NOT tribes who would benefit from gaming? Only those tribes that ALREADY have gaming would benefit for the lack of competition for gaming customers. So is that who Sen. Dianne Feinstein is doing this for? WHY Senator, would you jump through hoops for tribes that already have gaming, instead of working to HELP tribes that do not? IF gaming is the engine for tribal self-reliance, wouldn't we want ALL tribes to benefit from Gaming. Really, Senator, is it more important for tribes like Pechanga, which has stolen $300 million from rightful tribal people, or the Picayune Rancheria, which has eliminated 50% of their tribe to benefit? Shouldn't you and Senator Barbara Boxer be working on enforcing the Indian Civil Rights Act instead? Please Sen. Feinstein, don't say you "didn't know" what tribes have done. We sent you hundreds of letters on Pechanga's Land Transfer.
Who is lobbying for this? IETAN?
DoI Response to Rep. Cole 11-18-2010 and Sen. Feinstein 11-03-2010.[1]
Senator, please RETHINK this issue.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving to All Original Pechanga's Blog Readers
We at Original Pechanga's Blog would like to wish all of our readers a very Happy Thanksgiving.
We are thankful that we have our family growing and healthy for the most part. We are thankful that more friends are coming here to find out about our struggles to gain back what is ours. Have a great day with family everyone.
We hope that Frances Miranda, Ihrene Scearce and Ruth Masiel are thankful that they have destroyed the happiness of hundreds of Pechanga/Temecula Indians. Will they tell the stories to their young ones, that they have harmed more Indians than the white man this century? Frances, are you happy for what you have done to your OWN Family? Your cousins that YOU have helped send back into poverty? Ruth, you are the eldest, do you have any recollection as to what you have wrought on the descendents of the tribal ancestor that your own expert said had more evidence of being Pechanga that ANY OTHER PEOPLE of the tribe? Ihrene, do you realize what you have done? Do you think this is the legacy that you will be known for?
We'll detail more of what Frances Miranda, Ihrene Scearce and Ruth Masiel have done in upcoming posts.
Foxwood Casino Loses $1 Million to Cheaters; Pechanga Disenrollees Lose $300 Million to Theft
Cheating comes in many forms. What makes news is when a casino like Foxwoods in Connecticut loses almost $1 to cheating:
Four Korean nationals linked to an international casino cheating syndicate and arrested at Foxwoods Resort Casino this week are suspected of bilking casinos out of between $750,000 and $1 million, authorities say. Two of the four, Young Su Gy, 60, and Wookyung Kim, 34, were charged Monday as part of a three-month investigation involving state and federal authorities, along with casino security, according to state police Detective Martin Graham.
Interestingly, what doesn't make news is when tribes cheat their own people. The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians has cheated and stolen over $300 milllion from tribal members that were unconstitutionally terminated from the tribe. Yet, state and federal authorities will spend three months following four people, but here in California, NO Federal help, No State help for HUNDREDS who have been defrauded by the Pechanga Tribal Council, led by Mark Macarro and Russell "Butch" Murphy. We continue to shine a spotlight on tribal corruption.
HUH?
Four Korean nationals linked to an international casino cheating syndicate and arrested at Foxwoods Resort Casino this week are suspected of bilking casinos out of between $750,000 and $1 million, authorities say. Two of the four, Young Su Gy, 60, and Wookyung Kim, 34, were charged Monday as part of a three-month investigation involving state and federal authorities, along with casino security, according to state police Detective Martin Graham.
Interestingly, what doesn't make news is when tribes cheat their own people. The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians has cheated and stolen over $300 milllion from tribal members that were unconstitutionally terminated from the tribe. Yet, state and federal authorities will spend three months following four people, but here in California, NO Federal help, No State help for HUNDREDS who have been defrauded by the Pechanga Tribal Council, led by Mark Macarro and Russell "Butch" Murphy. We continue to shine a spotlight on tribal corruption.
HUH?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
California Tribal Business Alliance: YOUR Computer Will Be A Gaming Device
CTBA President Leslie Lohse opposes internet gaming unless California Indian Tribes get a say in what goes on in legislation, including identifying YOUR computer as a gaming device. Because of donations to his campaign, they EXPECT incoming governor Jerry Brown to be compliant to their wishes.
Internet gaming should not be held captive to the whims of tribal nations that have harmed their own people. Of the over 100 California Indian Nations, not all have gaming and certainly not all benefit the way citizens of CA intended through their passage of Prop. 1A and Prop 5.
It's time to let the tribal gaming compacts expire and legalize gaming in California where we can regulate it, and have it in place in the populous areas of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Tribes have received a head start on gaming and some have taken their tribes and built their infrastructures. Other tribes such as Pechanga, Redding and Picayune have harmed so many of their membership, that our new governor Jerry Brown can't SERIOUSLY care what they think.
Here's the video:
Additionally, we are working on a story about our Senator Dianne Feinstein's work to keep some tribes from getting casinos to help their tribe. Is she supported by the big gaming tribes, who think nothing of letting other tribes suffer?
Internet gaming should not be held captive to the whims of tribal nations that have harmed their own people. Of the over 100 California Indian Nations, not all have gaming and certainly not all benefit the way citizens of CA intended through their passage of Prop. 1A and Prop 5.
It's time to let the tribal gaming compacts expire and legalize gaming in California where we can regulate it, and have it in place in the populous areas of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Tribes have received a head start on gaming and some have taken their tribes and built their infrastructures. Other tribes such as Pechanga, Redding and Picayune have harmed so many of their membership, that our new governor Jerry Brown can't SERIOUSLY care what they think.
Here's the video:
Additionally, we are working on a story about our Senator Dianne Feinstein's work to keep some tribes from getting casinos to help their tribe. Is she supported by the big gaming tribes, who think nothing of letting other tribes suffer?
Blogtalk Radio Show: Bikers of America Discuss Pechanga Treatment of Veterans
Thank you to our friends from Bikers of America Blog and their Blogtalk Radio Program.
Phil and Bill were kind enough to give us time on their show to talk about how Pechanga has treated their own veterans, their treatment of tribal citizens.
The pertinent part of the show begins at the 13:00 minute mark. You can skip ahead. There will be one interlude for a caller about 5 minutes worth and then continued discussions. Please LISTEN
Phil and Bill were kind enough to give us time on their show to talk about how Pechanga has treated their own veterans, their treatment of tribal citizens.
The pertinent part of the show begins at the 13:00 minute mark. You can skip ahead. There will be one interlude for a caller about 5 minutes worth and then continued discussions. Please LISTEN
Friday, November 19, 2010
Santa Ysabel Band OUSTS Johnny Hernandez; He Refuses to Relinquish Power
GOODBYE JOHNNY! What a difference a year makes. We wrote last year that Johnny Hernandez kept his seat and now that has changed.
Members of the Santa Ysabel Band of Mission Indians elected a new tribal leader earlier this month, but Chairman Johnny Hernandez has refused to relinquish his power, tribal members say.
Hernandez's refusal is the latest in a series of internal feuds for the North County tribe, whose reservation is located near Lake Henshaw. Tribal members elected Virgil Perez as their new chairman on Nov. 7, two tribal members said.
The tribe also re-elected Vice Chairwoman Brandie Taylor, whom Hernandez tried to fire last year. Perez and Taylor will be sworn in on Dec. 5.
Following the election, Hernandez refused to give the keys to the tribal hall to the new chairman or allow him access to tribal records. Perez and Taylor asked the Intertribal Court of Southern California on Monday to force Hernandez to turn over the keys and abide by the election results.
Hernandez declined to be interviewed. Taylor also declined to comment.
On Wednesday, the tribal court's judge agreed with Perez and Taylor. Judge Anthony Brandenburg authorized them to change the locks on the tribal hall.
"He (Hernandez) is acting like a spoiled child and doesn't want to give up what he has," said June Sortore, one of the tribe's estimated 700 members.
Members of the Santa Ysabel Band of Mission Indians elected a new tribal leader earlier this month, but Chairman Johnny Hernandez has refused to relinquish his power, tribal members say.
Hernandez's refusal is the latest in a series of internal feuds for the North County tribe, whose reservation is located near Lake Henshaw. Tribal members elected Virgil Perez as their new chairman on Nov. 7, two tribal members said.
The tribe also re-elected Vice Chairwoman Brandie Taylor, whom Hernandez tried to fire last year. Perez and Taylor will be sworn in on Dec. 5.
Following the election, Hernandez refused to give the keys to the tribal hall to the new chairman or allow him access to tribal records. Perez and Taylor asked the Intertribal Court of Southern California on Monday to force Hernandez to turn over the keys and abide by the election results.
Hernandez declined to be interviewed. Taylor also declined to comment.
On Wednesday, the tribal court's judge agreed with Perez and Taylor. Judge Anthony Brandenburg authorized them to change the locks on the tribal hall.
"He (Hernandez) is acting like a spoiled child and doesn't want to give up what he has," said June Sortore, one of the tribe's estimated 700 members.
A Remembrance: Robert Edward Foreman Redding Rancheria's First Chairman
Today marks the second year of the passing of Robert Edward Foreman, of the Redding Rancheria. Mr. Foreman should be regarded as a hero to the Redding Rancheria, as he was responsible for bringing health care services to Native Americans in the north counties. In 1971, Rural Indian Health Care was opened in Anderson, CA.
Sadly, the Redding Rancheria, led by Tracy Edwards, who is in Original Pechanga's Blog's HALL OF SHAME, disenrolled their FIRST chairman, even after DNA evidence proved their rightful place in the tribe.
Carla Maslin, Mr. Foreman's daughter told us: The betrayal of our community is the most unforgettable. It is a crime for them to commit fraud, injustice, & lies to the public about my family's bloodline & heritage. As it would be for any human being whose roots, blood ties and connections to their ancestors is an unwritten and sacred law. It is an outrage.
Please check the link for more on Mr. Foreman.
Redding Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Enterprise Rancheria, Picayune Rancheria are all guilty of paper genocide AND Apartheid of Native Americans.
Sadly, the Redding Rancheria, led by Tracy Edwards, who is in Original Pechanga's Blog's HALL OF SHAME, disenrolled their FIRST chairman, even after DNA evidence proved their rightful place in the tribe.
Carla Maslin, Mr. Foreman's daughter told us: The betrayal of our community is the most unforgettable. It is a crime for them to commit fraud, injustice, & lies to the public about my family's bloodline & heritage. As it would be for any human being whose roots, blood ties and connections to their ancestors is an unwritten and sacred law. It is an outrage.
Please check the link for more on Mr. Foreman.
Redding Rancheria, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Enterprise Rancheria, Picayune Rancheria are all guilty of paper genocide AND Apartheid of Native Americans.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Original Pechanga's Blog in TOP 50 of Native American Blogs
Thank you to our readers for helping us spread the word on corruption and disenrollment issues in Indian Country. According to the site Master's In Counseling, Original Pechanga's Blog is ranked 31 of the top 50 Native American Blogs.
Over the past three years, we have tried to shine a light on the corruption in Indian Country. We still need help in spreading the word and helping Washington DC understand what some tribal councils like those of Pechanga, Redding, Picayune are doing to their bretheren.
Over the past three years, we have tried to shine a light on the corruption in Indian Country. We still need help in spreading the word and helping Washington DC understand what some tribal councils like those of Pechanga, Redding, Picayune are doing to their bretheren.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Contacts for Temecula Area VFW posts. Please send a message.
We wrote about the Pechanga Band's treatment of some veterans and active duty personnel yesterday. For those who want to get involved and send a note of protest of their treatment here is some contact information:
Post 4089 Temecula Valley Post
28075 Diaz Rd
Temecula, CA 92590
Phone: (951) 676-1541
Post 1508 Richard Elliott Post
PO Box 737
Wildomar, CA 92595-0737
Phone: (951) 674-4735
Post 4379 Winchester Valley PostPO Box 188
Winchester, CA 92596
Phone: (951) 926-5158
A quick call letting them know what you read here about how Pechanga has treated their OWN veterans, and this latest episode could lead to a larger group standing up for the rights of veterans and those of terminated Native Americans.
Here is the contact for VFWCA:
1510 "J" Street, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-Mail address is: administrator@vfwca.org
Telephone (916) 449-8850
Post 4089 Temecula Valley Post
28075 Diaz Rd
Temecula, CA 92590
Phone: (951) 676-1541
Post 1508 Richard Elliott Post
PO Box 737
Wildomar, CA 92595-0737
Phone: (951) 674-4735
Post 4379 Winchester Valley PostPO Box 188
Winchester, CA 92596
Phone: (951) 926-5158
A quick call letting them know what you read here about how Pechanga has treated their OWN veterans, and this latest episode could lead to a larger group standing up for the rights of veterans and those of terminated Native Americans.
Here is the contact for VFWCA:
1510 "J" Street, Suite 110
Sacramento, CA 95814
E-Mail address is: administrator@vfwca.org
Telephone (916) 449-8850
Monday, November 15, 2010
Pechanga Tribe mistreats Biker Veterans? But they were going to welcome Mongols? UPDATED
As we have written already, The Pechanga Band has treated their tribal veterans shabbily, including decorated war veterans. Now, it appears they have treated some other veterans and their wives terribly too. The Mongols reference goes back to June 2008 when the Mongols were going to rally at Pechanga, before holding their get together on the La Jolla reservation.
From the Biker's of America Website, there's this telling of what happened at Pechanga's "Veterans Eat Free" promotion:
Hi Gill,
I contacted CBS News, NBC News, and ABC News regarding Pechanga's treatment
of the Vietnam Vets. This was done by filling out a form online. Here is what the form said:
Several Vietnam Veterans went to Pechanga Casino today on their motorcycles for the advertised event "Vets Eat Free" at the buffet. They called in advance to make sure they could wear their Vietnam Vet patches on their vests and were given approval.
Security pulled them out of line and told them to leave. They did not want "bikers" at the buffet and they would be arrested for trespassing. The vets explained that they had called in advance. Security allowed them to eat, with a guard present, and then made them leave the casino premises.
I think this is a shameful way to treat our vets and should be looked into further. I BELIEVE THE TREATMENT OF THESE VETS WAS UNAMERICAN. You can call Gill Mellen for more info. His number is 949-xxx-xxxx. Thanks.
In addition, I had email addresses for several reporters from a previous project. I sent them a separate email, of which I copied you. I also filled out a form online with Pechanga Casino with the same info. Attached are the names and contact for several newspapers in that area and information for the Pechanga Band of Indians, which is the tribe that overseas the casino. I think it would be a good idea if all the members sent letters to the editor and letters to both the casino and the tribe
regarding the poor treatment. It should be done quickly.
Let me know your thoughts. MJ
VETERANS, it's time to show Pechanga your moral outrage by NOT visiting the casino or hotel. Avoid shows at the casino. Send the tribe, headed by Mark Macarro a fax (951) 695-1778 letting them know WHY you are not patronizing them anymore. Pechanga likes their felons, but don't appreciate their veterans.
UPDATE: This is from the comments section of another post:
VIETNAM VETS KICKED OUT OF PECHANGA HOTEL AND CASINO ON VETERANS DAY!!
On Thursday, November 11, Veterans Day, eight Veterans, seven Vietnam Vets and one active duty Marine, as well as two of their wives, were threatened with arrest and told to leave the Casino.
After leaving the Menifee Veterans Memorial Dedication ceremony in Menifee we headed to Pechanga for the complementary buffet offered to honor Veterans. While in line for about 20 minutes we were approached by Pechanga Security and told we would have to leave because we were wearing our vests with a mc on the back. MC stands for Motorcycle Club. Also on the back of the vest was a patch that said VIETNAM VET, and USA , THE COUNTRY WE FOUGHT AND MANY DIED FOR. Lt Jim, of their Security, said he would have us arrested for trespassing if we did not leave. As Vietnam Vets, this was the same treatment we received in 60’s and 70’s. This is the year 2010, you would think that Veterans deserve more, not this. It was embarrassing and humiliating to be treated with such disrespect in front at least 40 patrons, who could not believe what was happening.
I, Robert Ingersoll, a former Marine and retired school teacher of 35 years, had called the Casino a week earlier to make sure that wearing our vests would not be a problem. I was assured that it would not be a problem by SGT Moreno (spelling may not be right). He said he would tell everyone in the days briefing that Veteran Motorcycle Clubs may be attending. We have been in many other Casinos in the area, without a problem. In fact the Vietnam/Legacy Vets, along with the Rez Riders, an Indian Motorcycle Club, have sponsored Toy runs for Years at other Casinos.
There are many Veteran Motorcycle Clubs in the area, Vietnam Vets, Legacy Vets, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion Riders, Brotherhood of Marine Corps Riders, Leathernecks, Rough Riders, and many more.
There have been court cases that state: DESCRIMINATION AGAINST BIKERS ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR MOTORCYCLE CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL IN CALIFORNIA. Unruh Civil Rights, Act CC 51et seq and Cohen V California, a Supreme Court ruling, that stated that individuals have the right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs.
The last time I looked, Pechanga Hotel and Casino is in California and part of the United States.
PECHANGA’S CONDUCT TOWARD THESE VETERANS WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND DISGRACEFUL.
After leaving Pechanga we headed to Applebee’s on highway 79 in Temecula. There we ate, were treated with respect and dignity, and the manager ask to take a picture of us for their wall. Pechanga should send its staff to Applebee’s for training on how to truly honor and respect Veterans.
Robert Ingersoll
Murrieta , California
From the Biker's of America Website, there's this telling of what happened at Pechanga's "Veterans Eat Free" promotion:
Hi Gill,
I contacted CBS News, NBC News, and ABC News regarding Pechanga's treatment
of the Vietnam Vets. This was done by filling out a form online. Here is what the form said:
Several Vietnam Veterans went to Pechanga Casino today on their motorcycles for the advertised event "Vets Eat Free" at the buffet. They called in advance to make sure they could wear their Vietnam Vet patches on their vests and were given approval.
Security pulled them out of line and told them to leave. They did not want "bikers" at the buffet and they would be arrested for trespassing. The vets explained that they had called in advance. Security allowed them to eat, with a guard present, and then made them leave the casino premises.
I think this is a shameful way to treat our vets and should be looked into further. I BELIEVE THE TREATMENT OF THESE VETS WAS UNAMERICAN. You can call Gill Mellen for more info. His number is 949-xxx-xxxx. Thanks.
In addition, I had email addresses for several reporters from a previous project. I sent them a separate email, of which I copied you. I also filled out a form online with Pechanga Casino with the same info. Attached are the names and contact for several newspapers in that area and information for the Pechanga Band of Indians, which is the tribe that overseas the casino. I think it would be a good idea if all the members sent letters to the editor and letters to both the casino and the tribe
regarding the poor treatment. It should be done quickly.
Let me know your thoughts. MJ
VETERANS, it's time to show Pechanga your moral outrage by NOT visiting the casino or hotel. Avoid shows at the casino. Send the tribe, headed by Mark Macarro a fax (951) 695-1778 letting them know WHY you are not patronizing them anymore. Pechanga likes their felons, but don't appreciate their veterans.
UPDATE: This is from the comments section of another post:
VIETNAM VETS KICKED OUT OF PECHANGA HOTEL AND CASINO ON VETERANS DAY!!
On Thursday, November 11, Veterans Day, eight Veterans, seven Vietnam Vets and one active duty Marine, as well as two of their wives, were threatened with arrest and told to leave the Casino.
After leaving the Menifee Veterans Memorial Dedication ceremony in Menifee we headed to Pechanga for the complementary buffet offered to honor Veterans. While in line for about 20 minutes we were approached by Pechanga Security and told we would have to leave because we were wearing our vests with a mc on the back. MC stands for Motorcycle Club. Also on the back of the vest was a patch that said VIETNAM VET, and USA , THE COUNTRY WE FOUGHT AND MANY DIED FOR. Lt Jim, of their Security, said he would have us arrested for trespassing if we did not leave. As Vietnam Vets, this was the same treatment we received in 60’s and 70’s. This is the year 2010, you would think that Veterans deserve more, not this. It was embarrassing and humiliating to be treated with such disrespect in front at least 40 patrons, who could not believe what was happening.
I, Robert Ingersoll, a former Marine and retired school teacher of 35 years, had called the Casino a week earlier to make sure that wearing our vests would not be a problem. I was assured that it would not be a problem by SGT Moreno (spelling may not be right). He said he would tell everyone in the days briefing that Veteran Motorcycle Clubs may be attending. We have been in many other Casinos in the area, without a problem. In fact the Vietnam/Legacy Vets, along with the Rez Riders, an Indian Motorcycle Club, have sponsored Toy runs for Years at other Casinos.
There are many Veteran Motorcycle Clubs in the area, Vietnam Vets, Legacy Vets, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion Riders, Brotherhood of Marine Corps Riders, Leathernecks, Rough Riders, and many more.
There have been court cases that state: DESCRIMINATION AGAINST BIKERS ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR MOTORCYCLE CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL IN CALIFORNIA. Unruh Civil Rights, Act CC 51et seq and Cohen V California, a Supreme Court ruling, that stated that individuals have the right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs.
The last time I looked, Pechanga Hotel and Casino is in California and part of the United States.
PECHANGA’S CONDUCT TOWARD THESE VETERANS WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND DISGRACEFUL.
After leaving Pechanga we headed to Applebee’s on highway 79 in Temecula. There we ate, were treated with respect and dignity, and the manager ask to take a picture of us for their wall. Pechanga should send its staff to Applebee’s for training on how to truly honor and respect Veterans.
Robert Ingersoll
Murrieta , California
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The City of Bell and The Pechanga Tribe have Commonality? Their Auditors
Original Pechanga's Blog contributor Attila the CPA found that The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, who are well known to have cheated hundreds of tribal members out of their rightful tribal benefits including: Per Capita payments, healthcare coverage, voting rights and educational assistance and the CITY OF BELL, CA share AUDITORS.
Attila the CPA:
The Bell City government leaders have spent time behind bars for paying themselves huge salaries and pensions from funds extracted from the people of the city of Bell. Both the city of Bell and the Pechanga tribal Government headed by Mark Macarro share the same Governmental Accounting requirements, and, as it turns out, employ the same accounting firm.
According to the LA Times, “Accountants gave Bell clean reports, ignoring red flags that pointed to excessive salaries, illegal taxes and failure to follow reporting requirements. A Times review finds Bell is far from being alone. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating potential civil rights and voting rights violations by the city, and the state controller, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the State Department of Corporations also have launched investigations into Bell's finances.
The scandal in the city of Bell has resulted in seven separate investigations and one round of criminal charges against former City Administrator Robert Rizzo and other current and former officials. But year after year, during a period marked by record salaries, illegal taxes, loans to insiders and arbitrary fees on businesses, the cities outside auditors, Mayer Hoffman McCann, gave Bell's financial record a clean bill of health.”
Meyer, Hoffman McCann has been the Auditor for the Pechanga Tribal Government for the past four years and a review of the relationship is appropriate. The tribal Membership of Pechanga has an obligation to insist on an accounting of the salaries and benefits paid to tribal Officials, and that the abuses in the City of Bell’s finances are not repeated in the Pechanga Tribal Government.
OP: Does the membership know where the salaries are at this point? Where the expenses are going? There was a large contingent in Washington DC recently, visiting on the water rights issues we've written about previously HERE HERE looks like more than the ICRA should receive attention from Congressional oversight hearings.
Attila the CPA:
The Bell City government leaders have spent time behind bars for paying themselves huge salaries and pensions from funds extracted from the people of the city of Bell. Both the city of Bell and the Pechanga tribal Government headed by Mark Macarro share the same Governmental Accounting requirements, and, as it turns out, employ the same accounting firm.
According to the LA Times, “Accountants gave Bell clean reports, ignoring red flags that pointed to excessive salaries, illegal taxes and failure to follow reporting requirements. A Times review finds Bell is far from being alone. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating potential civil rights and voting rights violations by the city, and the state controller, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the State Department of Corporations also have launched investigations into Bell's finances.
The scandal in the city of Bell has resulted in seven separate investigations and one round of criminal charges against former City Administrator Robert Rizzo and other current and former officials. But year after year, during a period marked by record salaries, illegal taxes, loans to insiders and arbitrary fees on businesses, the cities outside auditors, Mayer Hoffman McCann, gave Bell's financial record a clean bill of health.”
Meyer, Hoffman McCann has been the Auditor for the Pechanga Tribal Government for the past four years and a review of the relationship is appropriate. The tribal Membership of Pechanga has an obligation to insist on an accounting of the salaries and benefits paid to tribal Officials, and that the abuses in the City of Bell’s finances are not repeated in the Pechanga Tribal Government.
OP: Does the membership know where the salaries are at this point? Where the expenses are going? There was a large contingent in Washington DC recently, visiting on the water rights issues we've written about previously HERE HERE looks like more than the ICRA should receive attention from Congressional oversight hearings.
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