Fort Sill Apaches subpoenaed over N.M. poker tournament
Tribes: Casino feud continues over purchase of out-of-state trust land
Fort Sill Apaches subpoenaed over N.M. poker tournament

By The Associated Press Comments 0
Published: July 18, 2008

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Federal regulators have subpoenaed the Oklahoma-based Fort Sill Apache Tribe, seeking details of a poker tournament the tribe held at its New Mexico casino — which has not been approved for gambling.

Multimedia

More Info

BACKGROUND

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe contends a 2007 settlement agreement in Oklahoma involving the federal government provides legal grounds for it to open the casino.

The tribe bought the New Mexico land in 1998, and the property was taken into trust by the Interior Department for the tribe in 2002. Federal law prohibits gambling on Indian lands taken into trust after October 1988, except under certain conditions. The state Gaming Control Board also is looking into the tournament.

Gov. Bill Richardson has opposed the casino and said the state will keep the tribe from further gambling.

The National Indian Gaming Commission sent a letter Tuesday demanding a description of the tournament, the number and names of participants and the names of employees.

Failure to heed the subpoena could lead to court action, the commission said.

Fort Sill Apache Chairman Jeff Houser said the tribe hesitates to provide information for fear the federal government might pass it along to state gambling officials, who also are investigating the invitation-only June 22 tournament.