Feds Seize $10.1M in ‘Illegal Gambling’ Money from Pojoaque Pueblo Tribe of New Mexico
Posted on: March 27, 2018, 06:00h.
Last updated on: March 28, 2018, 12:18h.
The US Department of Justice on Friday filed forfeiture proceedings in a federal court to seize $10.1 million from a bank account linked to the Pojoaque Pueblo tribal gaming operator in New Mexico.
The DOJ said it deemed the money to be the proceeds of illegal gambling.
It’s the latest twist in the longstanding fight between the tribe and the State of New Mexico, which kicked off in 2014 when the tribe refused to sign a new compact. Its original gambling agreement, signed in 2005, gave the state an 8 percent share of gross gambling revenue and was due to expire in 2015.
Negotiations over a new revenue sharing agreement broke down when the tribe accused the state government of unreasonably hiking up its cut, to 9 percent.
New Mexico’s other tribal operators reluctantly agreed to these terms, but the Pojoaque Pueblos dug in their heels. The tribe argued for the right to negotiate a new compact with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, rather than the state.
Millions Placed in Trust
The tribe went to court to plead its case, while continuing to run its gambling interests, which comprise Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, Cities of Gold Casino and slots machines deployed at gas stations.
Both the state and the US Attorney’s Office warned the tribe that, minus a compact, it was operating an illegal gambling operation.
But the Attorney’s Office granted its request to keep its casinos open while the lawsuit was pending “to protect the interests of all residents in the Pojoaque Valley,” provided it kept the payments it would have been liable to pay to the state in an escrow account for the duration of the proceedings.
Pojoaque Pueblo Loses Case but Hangs onto Money
The tribe’s lawsuit was tossed in 2017, and, facing pressure from regulators, it signed a compact shortly afterwards. But it refused to give up the money in the account, claiming, since no compact had existed at the time the revenues had been generated, no payments were necessary.
The Pojoaque Pueblo believe the funds in the account should be used for economic development.
But the state claimed that the funds in the account were the proceeds of illegal gambling, and on Monday the DOJ settled the argument, emphatically.
“I am disappointed that the Department of Justice has chosen to pursue this course of action,” said Pojoaque Pueblo Governor Joseph M. Talachy in an official statement. “
The money in this account by law should help provide food, shelter, education and other basic necessities for the Pueblo’s people, including funds to fight the overwhelming opioid epidemic that is devastating the Pueblo.”
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Last Comments ( 2 )
Theres state is not acting in good faith nor are they being honest when they tie important revenue gaming money in court and hold revenue then not be able to use a portion of the money until the Federal Government rules in the States favor then take the money and run. That is not fair and that is not acting in good faith. Thats using there power to not get challenged by the tribes to tie the money up in proceedings and taking the money if you like it or not HOW IS THAT GOOD FAITH. The money should have to be held responsable and account for every cent of the money. Good Faith would have been to take part of the money. The money that was tied up until the court hearing is the tribes money not the states. The State would be acting in good faith if they would have taken part of the money and A small part of the money. If they would have decided the 10.1 million into equal days then take the money up until the court date was set and the rest given to Governor Talachi that would be acting in Good Faith. To just take it all and say you cant sue so ill take it all. HOW DISHONEST AND UNTRUSTWORTHY IS THAT. The State of Colorado was wrong to decide the way they did. WRONG WRONG WRONG.
Gov. Talachi I hope everything works out in your favor and all your political struggles come to light and works in your best interest for you, your family and all the people in the pueblo. My heart will always be with you and my prayers are always with you. Governor Talachy My name is Jimmy Nash and my grandmother and uncle Alice and Gilbert have lived on the Pueblo for a long time and as far as I know still do. I am in a bad way right now and I would like to ask you for a job. I hope my e-mail can be relayed to Governor Talachy and he can take the time to ready my e-mail. I would like to ask him for HELP!!!! I want to ask him for a job as A phone consultant calling businesses and residents across america and ask them if they would like to take a vacation of all vacations to the Pueblo of Pojoaque and visit the fun and friendly indian culture, stay at our 5 star golf resort. There are many charming historical sights that will take you away from the stresses of everyday life, like taking a mineral mud bath and massage at the ????? or maybe renewing your marriage vows in the oldest church in the united states. or visit our fine arts museum. Governor Talachy I have the really cool and fun way of introducing myself that will get peoples attention a secret approach that is sure to get your resort noticed and interested enough to tell others about how affordable your vacations are and the many special things they can experience. I am a dedicated hard worker and I really would like to see how many vacations I can sell. So Governor Talachy lets get together and work out a simple plan that will get families in those rooms I WANT TO USE MY PHONE SKILLS TO FILL YOUR ROOMS WITH FIRST HUNDREDS THEN THOUSANDS AND I KNOW I CAN DO IT!!!!!! I HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED UP TO YOU AND I ALWAYS WILL. I JUST NEED SUPPORT/HELP FROM YOU AND A QUIET SPACE AND A PHONE AND THEESE ROOMS CAN BE FULL THAT IS WHAT I CAN DO. I know I shouldn't talk price but sevens have always worked for me 7.00 hr 7days a week and 7% of the vacation package, and money they spend at your casino and free tickets for just me to eat at my old elementary where my 3rd and 4th grade teacher Mrs. Trujillo taught me, a room/office with a phone and i will sell vacation packages and' fill your rooms with vacationers. Governor Talachi this is my promise and my commitment for my lifetime. I will work hard- I am not a quitter I am very dedicated and will always do right by you. I know the great things you do for your people and I hope that you will help me. If my offer is accepted by you, I would like to keep it as confidential as possible I dont want my family and my friends to get in the way of my ambitions and complicate things for me. I am a dedicated professional with a relentless desire to sell vacation packages to families and businesses all over the united states. Maybe in a couple of years after i am settled and have perfected my sales presentations I can manage a room of phone sale technicians and make selling vacations fun and packed with incentives. I ALSO DONT SMOKEANYMORE- I DONT DRINK ANYMORE AND I AM DRUG FREE EXCEPT FOR THE MEDICATIONS I GET FROM MY DOCTORS AT THE INDIAN HOSPITAL IN SANTA FE. I am not gay and I dont need a wife or girlfriend my job is my love. My job is my reward it keeps me satisfied and keeps me humble, like im doing the right thing and it makes me feel important, thats all the fulfillment I need. So Governor Talachi hire me and help me get settled in lets make some vacation packages and start offering these cool packages to businesses and families and lets have some fun with vacations that people will come back year after year and at the same time offer there employees an incentive a competition to produce more work by offering one of your vacations. This is only the beginning of A powerful alliance built with truth, respect and hard work. Thank You Governor Talachy and let me know what you think. I can perfect my sales presentation and turn it into a powerful performer and lets sell some vacations. my phone number is (505)901-0468 call me whenever.. Respectfully Jimmy Nash