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We have received permission from Bill Lawrence publisher and editor of the Ojibwe News/Native American Press and reporters Gary Blair and Jeff Armstrong to forward articles pertaining to government reform movement in the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

Leech Lake Casinos may be shut down -- On Nov. 14 the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) issued an ultimatum giving Leech Lake until December 3, 1996 to resolve a licensing dispute over gaming management or shut down it two casinos , Northern Lights and Palace Bingo and Casino.

Refusing to recognize chairman Eli Hunt's dismissal of former gaming director Charlie Brown and controller George Wells, the Reservation Business Committee -- which also functions and the Leech Lake Gaming Commission -- has refused to license their replacements, who have successfully completed background checks.

Outside the context of a power struggle with the new chairman and continued revelation of corruption on the part of the incumbent officials, the RBC's steadfast support for the former casino management is difficult to understand. Although revenues from the casinos have risen to more than $32 million annually, profits declined nearly 400% in the past fiscal year. Federal officials recently subpoenaed casino financial records to investigate possible criminal wrongdoing.

Two former RBC/Gaming Commission members are serving time for corruption; a third, Myron Ellis, still sits on the Committee and the Commission despite his conviction and prison sentence on similar charges.

The two dueling factions issued press releases on tribal council stationery, each accusing the other side of refusing to negotiate the dispute. As band officials, the district representative are in violation of Article VI, of the Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe by failing to recognize the dismissals," said a press release from Hunt.

"Their continued insubordination in complying with executive authorities of the Chairman will result in NIGC enforcement action. The consequence of closure rests on the compliance of the Council District Representative to recognize and concur with the dismissals and subsequent appointments," said Hunt, who offered a date of Nov. 21 for negotiations.

A press statement from the district representative quotes NIGC chairman Harold Monteau's letter as stating, "Initially, the NIGC determined, that despite the express requirements of the Band's gaming ordinance, certain regulatory decisions related to the band's griming operation were being made without the approval of the Tribal Council."

RBC member Jack Seelye is quoted in the release as saying, "I'm not sure what it will take for Hunt to realize that what he is doing is the worst possible thing for the Leech Lake people.

Despite years of allegations of fraud and ties of certain casino management officials to organized crime, NIGC commissioner Tom Foley praised gaming operations in the region at a recent MCT Tribal Executive Committee meeting, "I'm grateful for the gaming operations in the upper Midwest," said Foley.

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Editorial Opinion by Bill Lawrence

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"It should be obvious by now that the renewed threat by (NIGC) chairman Harold Monteau, a Clinton appointee, to close down the two Leech Lake casinos is politically motivated.

The Leech Lake RBC "Gang of Four" and their ENABLERS with all the new-found casino funds have significant ties to the Democratic Party. With the '96 elections now over, it is only fitting that Monteau use some of the spoils from his office as NIGC chairman -- which is essentially the new Indian czar -- to intimidate Leech Lake tribal chairman Eli Hunt into capitulating to the Gang of Four.

How else could you read his action here at Leech Lake, with its relatively minor infractions to the gaming act, in comparison to the ripoffs of other casinos by tribal officials, unscrupulous managers and management companies. In addition, due to Hunt's appointment of the two gaming official, i.e. Martin Jennings as gaming manager and Burton Howard as Controller, the Leech Lake casinos are being run the cleanest that they ever have been run in their history.

It is apparent that the ENABLERS of the Gang of Four are desperate for something to happen before the federal Grand Jury meets on December 4 in Minneapolis in its probe of Leech Lake RBC's expenditure of gaming funds, records of which were subpoenaed last week by the U.S. Attorney's Office. It must have taken a lot of political clout to get Monteau to send the letter to the Leech Lake RBC at this time. In addition to the gaming documents, the U.S. Attorney's Office has also subpoenaed all records pertaining to the expenditure of Leech Lake Tribal general funds, including travel funds and the use of credit cards. Based upon past experiences and common knowledge around the Leech Lake Reservation it is anticipated that the December Grand Jury hearing will lead to a new round of federal indictments.

So you can see why the gang and their ENABLERS will go to any length, or call in any card, to save their hides. It should be very interesting indeed to see how deep into the leech Lake administration the new Grand Jury probe goes."