Thursday, November 7, 2019

Former Paskenta Tribal Leaders Found Guilty

Hat tip to the commenter who pointed out this article.

Paskenta tribal leader: Guilty pleas are 'vindication' for Tribe after millions stolen

Excerpt:

The defendants are the former Tribal Economic Development Director, John A. Crosby, 56, of Redding; the former Tribal Administrator Ines S. Crosby, 76, of Orland; and the former Tribal Treasurer Leslie A. Lohse, 64, of Glenn.

The trio pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court, to charges of conspiracy to embezzle or steal from a tribal organization, as well as tax fraud and tax evasion offenses.

“The defendants used the Tribe’s accounts as their personal piggy banks,” said Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “For at least five years the defendants took more than $4.9 million of the Tribe’s money and intentionally failed to declare it as income to the IRS. This resulted in a tax loss of over $1.6 million.”

Read the full article at the link above

110 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well if prosecuters want to get a real bad bunch, then look no further than Pala tribe. They come as greasy and sloppy as they come, and if the IRS did a forensic audit, I'm sure they would see all kinds of improprieties.

Anonymous said...

Here, piggy, piggy, Rob you little sloppy, greasy pig. Oink! Oink!

Anonymous said...

Keep in mind that the Paskenta General Council voted to bring charges against elected officers for embezzlement, and brought a civil suit against the embezzlers. The US Attorney's Office had the case transferred to their jurisdiction since it is a federal offense to embezzle from a federally recognized tribe and brought indictments for criminal charges. The federal government would never have brought charges against tribal leaders without an action taken by the tribe.

Anonymous said...

This would be good for Pala to do the same thing.
However there is one big problem in Pala, the people in the Tribe are to chicken shit to raise their hands against Smith or Nieto.
They would rather abused and talked down to.

Anonymous said...

After reading this report it is almost like Robert Smith wrote the book on corruption and these corrupt leaders are following the directions of Robert Smith and Theresa Nieto.
The FBI will and can arrest them and put them in federal prison if the tribe will ask as a tribe to investigate them.
Sure there has been a few members that have filed a complaint with the Feds, but as a request by an entire Tribe they would have no choice but to follow up on a request to lock these people up for their crimes.
So quit crying and do something that can help put an end to these corrupt leaders and take back what they have taken away from you.
We are now getting about one third of what we used to get as a per capita check but the EC has not shown any kind of decrease in their spending methods.
In fack they are spending so much of the Bands money on things that are not important and on things that have nothing to do with the PBMI as a whole.
And to make matters worse Rob wants his daughter to be on the EC and take T. Villa out.
DON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN BY HIS LIES AND CORRUPTION.
BY VOTING FOR HIS DAUGHTER FOR ANY EC SEAT WOULD PUT THE TRIBE IN A REVERSE GEAR BECAUSE SHE WILL VOTE ON THINGS THAT HER DADDY TELLS HER TO VOTE FOR.
SO MEMBERS OF PALA WE URGE YOU TO NOT VOTE FOR HIS DAUGHTER, THIS COULD BE A REAL DEATH SENTENCE FOR OUR TRIBE.

Anonymous said...

You can’t have the chairman’s daughter on the EC. That is a conflict of interest. You might as well just let Robert have 2 votes. Because she is just going to vote however Robert wants her too. If he wants her on the EC he has to resign as chairman. And you don’t need the entire tribes vote to request the irs to do a audit. Just pass around a petition. If you get the majority of the tribe to sign it and give it to the IRS they will do the audit

Anonymous said...

Not really. The IRS will probably not order an audit of the PBMI finances based on a request from the GC. The BIA would have to do so because it is in the Pala Constitution. Or at least it was. Who knows what the Constitution says now.

Anonymous said...

2 direct family members cannot be on the EC at the same time. Cousins is ok but not parents, siblings or spouses. This is the first I am hearing about smiths daughter running for council. Which daughter cause I believe they both have arrest records and should not be eligible to run for 2 reasons. 1) arrest record 2) conflict of interest. Why was this not brought up or questioned at the October meeting when she was nominated?? She might as well already be on the EC. Rob knows how to set up the elections so he gets who he wants on there. If she wins this needs to be questioned and brought up at a meeting and to the BIA.

Anonymous said...

BIA will be really concerned...not. Smith's daughter is a perfect choice and will uphold the tradition of corruption that Pala members endorse.

Anonymous said...

Just because she will win a seat on the EC does not mean she is endorsed by the tribe. Robert knows how to get people on and off the EC. He did it with Leroy when he wanted him off and replaced him with Maxcey then Maxcey when against him so he had Ravago replace him. He also keeps himself and Nieto on the EC evey election. If anyone believes smith and nieto were re-elected last December after announcing to the GC in September the tribe is broke and the money was mismanaged and then saying there is NO Xmas bonus??? You must be a child or several small minded which are the exact kind of followers Smith/nieto love because they believe what they are told and don’t ask questions. That’s why he hates King & Willy SO MUCH and why he took away 2 members percap for a year to punish them for not listening to him and demanding answers. Which we all know now was illegal under the percap dispersement agreement specifies he hasn’t done it since. We need to stand up together if he claims his daughter won a seat on the EC. The GC needs to stand together at the meeting and speak up about his daughter not being eligible to run due to her father a direct relative on the EC and her felony record!!

Anonymous said...

COME ON PALA YOU CANT BE THIS SCARED IN PLACE TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!
If we allow Roberts daughter to join the EC we are going backwards. When Robert fired Cynthia his secretary (when she was on medical leave for cancer) and her husband head of I.T. The FBI was making its rounds and had asked “why T. Villa didn’t have the same access as the rest of the EC”. The FBI asked “why would smith ask I.T. to limit what T.Villa can see on her computer”. This was because she wasn’t one of his lackeys he placed on the EC to replace Kilma after he left the EC due to questionable practices with the disenrollments and other EC actions he didn’t agree with. Villa is the tribal secretary how can she be limited on what she can do for the tribe and what tribal documents she can see?? Seems to me and apparently to the FBI Smith was hiding something he didn’t want anyone outside his EC circle to see.
If his daughter replaces Villa and becomes tribal secretary then Robert may as well be secretary cause he will do what he wants and then just have his daughter sign off on it since she will probably rarely be in the office. This is just giving him another spot in the EC.

Anonymous said...

Do not let this go, do not vote for his daughter in this election she is not the smartest person by ant means. She will do as she is told by her dad concerning tribal issues.
Vote to re-elect Theresa Villa as the sect. for the Tribe.
Vote for Nona Nejo for vice chairman and vote for Bradley
for committee member and get rid of Ravago and Dion Perez
we really need this change for the security of our Tribe.
Nona Nejo is not afraid to ask questions about any issues
concerning tribal matters.
She is for sure not afraid of Theresa Nieto or Robert Smith and she is the type of person that we need on the EC today.
No matter what you think about Nona rest assure she is on your side and she is for the Tribe as a whole.
So put your concerns about Nona on the back burner and vote her in as the new Vice Chairman, we need the change now before its to late.
She really cares about the financial stability of the Tribe and the way that Members are treated.
She can be hard sometimes on some issues but she really does care about the members and their families.
VOTE FOR NONA NEJO FOR VICE CHAIRMAN SHE IS WHAT THE BAND NEEDS.

Anonymous said...

Shit as far as that goes Robs daughters don't even have the blood to be enrolled in Pala because their grandfather gave up his rights to become a citizen Indian
and Rob and his family are claiming their blood line from his Grandfather, which is illegal from the get go.
So be smart and don't vote for someone like his daughter who should be considered and outsider and is not smart enough to even wipe her own ass without reading directions first.
VOTE NO FOR ROBERT SMITHS DAUGHTER.

Anonymous said...

How can Robbers daughter run when he's on the Council? Isnt that considered conflict of interest? Plus she's a felon. Goes to show how corrupt Pala has become. That should've been nipped in the bud from the beginning.

Anonymous said...

Fuck you Rob you are nothing but lying no good bastard only out to get what you want and don't care who gets in your way, friend, family or not.
You deserve to be executed and have your fat ass sent to hell with the rest of your people.

Anonymous said...

I just heard Smiths plan for this election and it goes like this.
He wants his daughter to be voted in to replace Theressa Villa, then he wants Marcos Orrasco to replace Dion Perez
and he wants to keep Ravago as vice chairman.
This will be total destruction of whats left of our Reservation if this goes down like this.
For one, his daughter has no knowledge of anything concerning to do with tribal business.
She will be told what to do by her father 100% even if it is wrong, no experience equals many mistakes and instead of moving forward we will be going in reverse.
So members use your brains when it comes to voting for Tribal Sect. and vote for experience and keep Theressa Villa on the EC.
Then we come to Marcos Orrasco running for EC member to replace Dion Perez.
Orrasco is a yes man as far as Smith goes and will do as he is told by Smith and Nieto. Voting for Orrasco will be like giving Smith 3 votes on the EC.
Don't waste your vote on Orrasco, vote in Bradley G. to replace Perez, he is a fair person and can not be bought off with comps or money. He believes in his people and will be a good person on the EC.
Ravago was a good guy at one point but has now become just like Rob and can"t be trusted.
Vote for Nona Nejo to replace Ravago she is concerned about issues and will do whats right for the tribe as a whole and she for sure cannot be bought off by Rob. So vote for Nona Nejo and stand behind her at the meetings and you will see change for the better.
So now you know Robs agenda so vote against it and for for new and honest EC members.
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone received a flyer for Bradley Guchino running for EC members?
And also one for Nona Nejo who is running for vice chairman against Ravago?
Maybe Rob didn't approve the flyers and never sent them out.
This could be bad for the ones running for change for Pala.
I can see why Robs daughter has no flyer to send out because she has no experience to put on the flyer.
Also the fact that his daughter can;t be on the EC because it would be a conflict of interest to have a father daughter sitting on the EC and that's according to the BIA and the FBI.
The FBI says that according to the constitution it says that a wife/husband and child of an EC member can not be on the EC board as a member because it would be considered a conflict of interest.
A cousin aunt or uncle is okay but not your son/daughter/wife.

Anonymous said...

WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER SMITH ON THE EC.
IF ANYTHING WE NEED TO GET RID OF THE SMITH THAT'S ON THE EC, AKA ROBERT H. SMITH.
ROBERT HITLER SMITH.
VOTE NO FOR HIS DAUGHTER FOR TRIBAL SECRETARY.
VOTE FOR THERESSA VILLA SHE HAS THE EXPERIENCE AND HAS BEEN OUR SECRETARY FOR A FEW YEARS,
WE DON'T NEED TO START FROM SCRATCH AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING IF SMITHS DAUGHTER IS VOTED IN.
SO TRIBAL MEMBERS PLEASE DON'T VOTE FOR ROBS DAUGHTER
SHE HAS NO EXPERIENCE AND CAN'T EVEN WIPE HER OWN ASS WITHOUT READING THE DIRECTIONS FIRST.

Anonymous said...

She CANNOT legally run for office!

Anonymous said...

Smith and Nieto have been breaking tribal law and federal law with impunity for over a decade and have gotten away with it. No one cares. Pala passed term limits over 10 years ago only to have Barbara Karshmer waddle into a meeting and overturn the will of the people. Smith has been caught making illegal campaign donations, bribing the San Diego DA to get his kids off on lighter charges, accepting fees to register cars on reservation so buyers can avoid state taxes, forcing kickbacks from developers so that projects can move forward, enrolling non-members for a cut of their per cap, bribing voters, stealing elections, not to mention all the shady dealing behind the Pala Anchor deal...it goes on and on and on. No one cares.

Smith got busted peeing in the casino. No one cared. Drug tests failed for exec com members, no one cared. Exec Comm members with felonies on their records, no one cared.


Do you honestly think anyone at Pala will care if Smith or Nieto "break the law"? No one cares. No one does anything. Not the authorities. Not the people of Pala.

You have been warned for nearly 17 years of all this stuff. Yet everyone turned a blind eye to all the corruption because all they wanted was their per cap.

Well those days may soon come to an end. And guess what? No one will do anything, no one will care.

Why? Because most of the Smith and Nieto supporters are on the payroll with cush jobs. You may lose your per cap but they will keep getting paid so they will keep voting the way Smith and Nieto say to vote.

Ask yourself how many vehicles Pala needs? How many private jet flights? What happened to the loan and the expansion? Where did the money go?

That's right, no one cares. You are spitting into the wind and stepping on superman's cape.

Pala Raceway? Where did the money go? Who got paid?

It's over people. Bankruptcy is coming. It will be great for Smith and Nieto and very bad for those of you who do not suck up to Smith and Nieto. All those in the pockets of Smith and Nieto will just get paid more.

Anonymous said...

I can’t believe what the general council allow Robert to get away with. The chairman’s daughter cannot be on the EC. She cannot even be on the ballot. And stop having these kangaroo court elections. Robert rigs them. After all of Roberts controversial behavior you really think he keeps getting realected? Before you know it the EC will consist of all smiths. Come on people. Impeach Robert. He is a horrible vengeful Evil person.

Anonymous said...

Rumors are running rampantly of an impending bankruptcy filing for the Pala Casino. The said thing is that Pala members have no idea how their business ventures are performing. The financial improprieties have gone on for years, but Pala tribal members just do not have any business sense and no back bone to stand up for change. Even after the disenrollments, per capita has dropped over $5,000 dollars and tribal members refuse to pull the plug on this corrupt leadership. What will it take to finally change your inaction and rise up? Yes, you can see around Pala that Robert Smith is throwing all his money into fancy signage for his little minions, so Lorraine and Orosco are definitely in line to carry on his agenda.

Anonymous said...

You are thinking all wrong about bankruptcy. For Smith is it not that there isn't enough money and the tribe is broke. The real issue is mounting debt for loans Smith took out using the Casino revenue as security. If the PBMI files for bankruptcy then the loans might be discharged or settled for pennies on the dollar, and then Smith can keep stealing without consequences. He can even tell the GC that there is no money for Xmas bonuses, and a per capita reduction is necessary to pay off debts. Then he can steal even more.

The great part of this scheme is that he can make the PBMI responsible for the debts and obligations he made without GC approval. He will continue to claim that the Pala Gaming Ordinance gives the EC the authority to make financial decisions without GC approval then he can make the GC responsible for the debts. Meanwhile he has diverted huge amounts of revenue into investments for himself like real estate and Pala Interactive and has no intention of liquidating any assets in order to payoff debts. Instead he will take it out of the pockets of the members even after the debts are covered by a bankruptcy judgment.

All the bankruptcy will do is make it more difficult to get loans. There is a very real opportunity though for Pala members to get some visibility into the finances of the tribe. If there is a bankruptcy filing, the GC should withhold any approval until there is an audit to verify the amount of debt and to view the audited Profit and Loss statement. If it is true that there is too much debt and repayment will throttle the profitability of the Casino then the GC should revoke the Gaming Ordinance and remove the EC authority to make financial decisions. The EC are incompetent fiscal managers and most likely have been embezzling and misappropriating funds to the extent that they have damaged the future of the tribe.

That would also be grounds for removal of the EC and a recall election. Do I think this will happen? Most likely not. Smith will move forward with a bankruptcy if he wants to and the GC will be unable to stop him. Of course they probably won't even try. That is how it has been in the past, and how it mostly will be in the future.

Anonymous said...

Is the Lorraine Smith running for Secretary Roberts daughter or is it another Lorraine Smith?

Anonymous said...

Lorraine Smith running for the EC is Robert Smiths daughter.
And steps are being taken through the BIA to remove her if she is elected to serve on the EC.
She can not be an EC member because of being a direct relative to the chairman that's according to the Band constitution.

Anonymous said...

it Is illegal for her to even be a candidate. She is taking up a spot that a legitimate candidate could be in

Anonymous said...

According to the newest constitution she can run for office and two direct family members cannot be on the election committee but on the EC it is ok. This was brought up a while ago at the meetings to stop nepotism but it was shut down. The people tried to bring this up for a vote so this could not happen but Robert stopped it because it was not on the agenda.

Anonymous said...

Do you really think it matters what the constitution says? If it’s illegal then Robert will just have his attorneys rewrite it to suit his needs. Pala is ridiculous. You all let Robert do whatever he wants. Like I said earlier pretty soon it will be all Smith’s on the EC. Never in Palas history has there ever been a chairman with his child on the EC at the same time. All past chairman have had more moral ethics then to do something like that. And it IS illegal.

Anonymous said...

Changes to the Constitution are called amendments. Amendments have to be voted on in a referendum. A referendum is a general election where the majority of the voters participate. To pass an amendment requires a super majority, or two thirds of the voters participating voting to adopt the amendment. Amendments can only be made to one section of the Constitution at a time. An amendment that seeks to changes more than one section is not an amendment; it is a new governing document. The PBMI has a federally approved Constitution. If there is a new version being used it is not federally approved, nor it is approved by the membership, so it is an unconstitutional Constitution.

Anonymous said...

message for the asshole that is knocking down the vote for Nona Nejo signs.
Don't you have anything better to do.
One of your friends gave us your name so be ready for shit if you continue to be a little jerk and knock down these signs.
This is not any kind of a threat, it's a promise.

Anonymous said...

Must be desperate. There is LEGALLY 1 person running for Tribal Secretary, vote tomorrow for Nona Nejo, Theresa Villa, and Brad Guachino if you are sick and tired of Robbers bullshit. Past time to get our Reservation and Tribe in the direction they should've been a longtime ago. Keep an eye out at the post office for Robbers tricks.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with 6:02 PM.
Just go in and cast your vote for Nona Niejo, Theressa Villa and Bradley.
It will be a start for the PBMI to heal all the bad issues that have overcome our Reservation.
Robs daughter is way to young and under educated for a spot on any board much less for the Tribes Secretary.
Nona will sit on the EC for the people and can't be bought off by Rob.
Bradley will also do the same because they both believe in the customs and traditions of the PBMI.
They have both committed to be fair and honest with all tribal members.
So give them the chance to prove their commitment to the voters of PBMI.

Anonymous said...

We now have verifiable proof that Robert Smith has been enrolling non-members and then claiming half their per-capita in exchange for this favor. The evidence is going to the US attorney for consideration. We don't expect any results there but it is time for the real members to bring this matter up and request an audit of the membership roll. This would include an audit of those receiving per-capita. Now we know why there wasn't a raise in per-capita after the Brittens were disenrolled. Robert just replaced them with his own minions and kept the money for himself. You can start by asking Shasta if she is a member or not. She always says she is a member when she speaks publicly. Then there is Robert's former IT guy now scuba shop owner. Ask him if he is a member. Ask the owner of Fallbrook Propane if he is a member. We already know the answer.

Anonymous said...

We finally got rid of one of Roberts yes men and replaced him with someone that cannot be bought off. Nona please don’t stop asking questions at the meetings we have so few members with backbones willing to go against Robert and Theresa and ask question there lies. Hopefully we can now get important issues on the agenda. Next year we can get another good person in the EC. Theresa Villa is a good person she just doesn’t want to make waves but when it comes down to it she will do the right thing.
Bradley your spot on the EC is just as important as everyone else so you use your voice and demand answers if you see something that is not right. the FBI said when T. Villa was first added to the EC Robert had IT keep her from looking at certain things and accessing certain things others in the EC could access. Don’t let Robert do this to you. You have a right as a council member.

Anonymous said...

Well at least we got rid of Dion Perez on the EC.
He was a yes Mr. Chairman man and happy to see him off the EC.
I hope Nona Nejo runs against Robert Smith in the next election.
I believe that she will be the one person that will stand up to the EC on issues that are hurting our Reservation.
Smith did everything he could to bad mouth her in this election because he knows that if she were to sit on the EC that he couldn't get things passed as easily.
So please Nona whatever you do don't give up on running against Robert for his chairman spot on the EC.
I believe that you can beat him hands down.
We will continue to stand behind you at the meetings
and support your agenda for fighting the evil bastards.

Anonymous said...

There are many happy members today because Robs daughter didn't make it on the EC.
And we can't blame them for being happy because if she would have been elected it would have been total chaos up for the PBMI.
Glad to see Theressa Villa is still on the EC.

Anonymous said...

Results from election in Pala are:
1-Vice Chairman-Ravago 207= winner
Nona Nejo- 130
Sec. Theressa Villa 252 = winner
Lorraine Smith 90
Bradley Gauchino 154 = winner
Marcos Orasco 101
Dion Perez 92 biggest looser

Not what we wanted but it is a start because Perez was just taking up space.
And it gives Nona Nejo more time to focus on running against Smith next year.

Pete Trujillo sr. said...

I would like to wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING and
Happy Holidays to family and friends.
I for one have many reasons to be thankful for the day of thanksgiving.
I am thankful for my wife, my kids,Grand kids and my great grand kids.
Family is one of life's most important gifts ever.
Yes my kids were hurt by the disenrollments and that hurt will stay with them for a very long time.
However my kids have proven that the disenrollments will not slow them down.
They all have good paying jobs and work very hard for the sake of their children.
My oldest of the 4 works for CIMC and is very well respected by many members of our tribe as well as other tribes that she deals with.
My next daughter has worked her way up to a manager spot at Walmart and enjoys her job.
My 3rd. daughter works for the La Jolla tribe for a couple of years and is now the mamager of the La Jolla campground.
And my son has just been hired by a medical company in Fallbrook in there housekeeping personal.
So i am very thankful that the disenrollments did not sour their ability to survive.
I also hope and pray for the entire tribe to heal and become one as we used to be and for the reversal of the
disenrollments which i feel were not justified.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone bought the big Olaf blow up from the Smith boy that said he won it in Temecula?
I think he stole it from his uncle Robs house.

Anonymous said...

yes, we bought it for $40.00

Anonymous said...

I can not believe that Tribal Security lets Teddy and David Smith get away with the shit they do.
They roam around the Reservation like they own it.
They harass the customers at the Mini Mart asking for change or to buy them a beer.
They hang around the the Pala Park area and harass the
people at the intersection of Pala Mission rd and Pala Temecula rd. jumping into traffic and causing problems.
They are both a direct threat to the residents of the Reservation and should be banished from Pala forever.
Niether of them have a direct connection to any one in Pala.
They were adopted by Roberts sister who has passed away
a few years ago.
They rob the residents of Pala, they break into the Pala store, one of them was even taped destroying some of the street signs both tribal and county signs by tagging them with paint and markers.
It is people like them that are giving Pala a bad name.
This needs to be taken care of ASAP.
They are even allowed to live in a tribal home across from Andrew Smith and they don't pay a single dime for rent and yet nothing is done to them for their actions.
They go into the Casino and ask for money and fall asleep at the machines and get away with it.
The bald one even goes to the Church and sleeps on the benches outside of the mission and no one does anything about it.
Their beloved uncle Robert Smith has taken action against other people that he claims are a direct to the Reservation for things not even close to what the Smith brother do.
I think its time to banish these two trouble makers from the Reservation for life before they hurt some little child or one of the Elders because are getting more and more and more bold towards the the residents of Pala.
If anyone of them say anything to any of my kids or my grand kids i will beat them into next year, and that's not a treat in anyway it's a promise.

Anonymous said...

There's a few people here that are enrolled and shouldn't be. Cindy Leal, the adopted Goodpastures, and God knows who else. Once we get Robert out then we can clean up the enrolled, re enroll the ones qualified who Robert disenrolled. The only way we can clean house is to get rid of Robert.

Anonymous said...

With Roberts new enrollment specialist he’s enrolled more people than that to get his votes and stay in office. The roles and the finances will not be cleaned up until Robert and Nieto are out.

Anonymous said...

Do you want to have a New Year and prosper like never before?
Then get your shit together and get Robert Smith and Theresa Nieto out of the EC and out of Pala.
Life would be so sweet if that were to happen and every family would be treated like they should.
Pala would once again be the respected reservation that it once was.
No more corruption, no more cheating the people, no more killing, no more lies, no more stealing your money.
No more hate, everyone would be so happy and joyful.
Everyone would be equal and treated so.
So make it your New Years resolution and get them out anyway possible for the safety of you family and your loved ones.
Show your family that you care about the future of the Pala Band and your loved ones.
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone heard when they are going to have services for Joe Titto Castillo.

Anonymous said...

The viewing is in the 17th, Berry Bell, family members only, the family will escort him from the mortuary straight to the cemetery Saturday and bury him. I was told the burning afterwards which is ass backwards but whoever's in charge knows nothing of our traditions.

Anonymous said...

How about his friends for many years.
They should be able to say good bye to a friend and he had many friends that will be hurt by not being able to say good bye.
This is not the customs and traditions that we are used of, i hope who ever is in charge of the services changes their minds.

Anonymous said...

I agree, many people are upset and insulted by the person in charge. I am still going irregardless of what was told simply to pay my respects. His burning should've been already done according to tradition but some dumbass in charge is doing it after he's buried.

Anonymous said...

I overheard the other day at the bank that his sister Phina was in charge. Spoke with some of the other siblings that family isn't happy with her but she knows the Tribe's traditions so well. The only help she asked them for was money which everything should've been taken care of a long time ago. A lot of people are asking about the services. If you want to pay your respects at the mortuary or cemetery, do it. Don't let an uninformed person tell you otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Phina doesn't know squat about the customs and traditions
of PBMI.
They should have a the very least did like they did for Hawka, Titto's brother.
Why is she in charge anyway, Titto has 2 adult children and they should be the ones making the decisions for their Dads services.
As far as her asking for money from the rest of the family that's wrong, the Tribe covers almost everything
unless she is charging the family for her time which i wouldn't doubt.

Anonymous said...

The burning should take place 3 days after the services,
not the same day as the burial.
She must be back on the pipe again.
I think that who ever wants to say goodby to Tito should show up at the Mortuary to pay their respects to a dear friend and if Phina wants to have a heart attack over it at least she will be in the right place.

Anonymous said...

Put the pipe down. It's 3 to 5 days after they died,not after their buried. Spiritually their stuff is waiting for them. Phina is not, nor has never been a crackhead. As for people saying their goodbyes to him you're right.

Anonymous said...

A new flier was posted today at the Pala store and it states that there is a viewing at Berry Bell in Fallbrook on the 17th from 3pm to 7 pm and graveyard services at
the cupa cemetery at 10am january 18th.
it doesn't say the viewing is for family only so everyone can go to the viewing.

Unknown said...

Please people have some respect for our family. We have buried so many family and tribal members lately. You speak of Traditions! I'm not sure but I dont believe pointing fingures and disrespecting a family in mourning is one. Phina is a great Sister and Loved Howka and Tito rite up until the day they left this earth. She would never do anything to disrespect them. Please pray for the family and stop being disrespectful.
PEACE !!!

Pete Trujillo Sr. said...

I totally agree with 8:08 PM.
Tito was a good man and respected by a lot of people in Pala.
Everyone should be focused on helping the family heal from their losses and not be putting them down.
I new Tito when he was just a little guy hanging out with his Dad and riding in the hay truck.
He was a good person and he will be missed by his family and friends.
God bless his family. Sincerely Posted by,
Pete Trujillo Sr.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Pete for your kind words. Our family has lost too many family members this year and it's taken a toll on us. Yes, things are scrambled but all's we want is to see our Uncle respected and rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

i was wondering if anyone else seen two people taking pictures of Robert Smith residents and about an hour later were seen taking pictures of his daughter house off of chutnicut rd from pala mission rd.
They were driving a dark colored GM SUV with no plates.
There were 2 men and a female driver and a dog.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmm, maybe collecting evidence to finally implicate him and his family for all their crimes. Even if his "family " wasn't directly involved, they have knowledge of his crimes. When is someone going to bring up the Smith/Turner/Eagleton ranch? I thought it was purchased by the Tribe but yet these families are benefiting from it.

Anonymous said...

These same people were seen taking pictures of the large ford truck parked at the auto repair building on chutnicut rd. on the trucks doors it says Pala Band of Missions on them.
Also wer seen taking pictures of the property on pala temecula rd that is supposedly owned by jimbo goodpasture
and again at the recycling center on 76 taking pictures from the highway.
I truly believe that it was a private detective or some
like that.
I saw a black suv parked near the fox racing entrance but it had a U.S. government lic plate on it.
Maybe the Feds are finally doing their job.
HOPEFULLY.

Anonymous said...

4 DAYS AGO THE SAME PEOPLE WERE TAKING PICTURES OF THE BUILDING OFF HIGHWAY 76 IN PAUMA VALLEY I BELIEVE THAT PALA OWNS IT ALSO, ROBERTS RANCH PROPERTY.

Anonymous said...

The dark colored SUV is still around, i just saw it at the park by the mission taking pictures of the Pala Tub from the inside of the park.
Different guy taking the pictures but the same female driver.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the time is near when Smith and Nieto will be looking for a bail bondsman to get them out while they await their trial.

Anonymous said...

If i see them i am going to ask if this is for a good cause, like putting the cuffs on these two evil corrupt bastards or just something that Smith wants done on the Tribes dollar.
I sincerely hope it is for locking them up.

Anonymous said...

After talking to one of the people taking pictures on the Pala Rez i have only one thing to say, and that is that Smith and Neito should be very very nervous.
And they also said that the Tribal Security was a big joke and was only there for the extra money and didn't understand any areas of protecting anyone.

Anonymous said...

Well now we just came home at 1:30 am and low and behold there they were again taking pictures of the entrance of Fox Raceway and then went on to Lilac rd.
This time there were 2 dark colored SUV's with 2 people in each one.
Something is really brewing in Pala and it is not beer.

Unknown said...

You remind me of Mrs. Cravis from the Bewitch Show.

Anonymous said...

So go back to your tv and leave this to people who care about pala before someone wiggles their nose and turn you into a frog.

Anonymous said...

Haven't you learned anything? Corruption is rewarded on Pala. You think Smith has any qualms about stealing from his people? Maybe your don't know the history but that man is a serial rapist and his brother is a drug dealer. Tony Ravago beat his children and wife for years, now Nicky is dead and his oldest son can't stay out of prison. Pala is a place where corruption and criminal behavior is rewarded.

Anonymous said...

How can so many enrolled tribal members, some with major degrees in education and others with only high school
degree or a GED be so blinded by whats going on in Pala.
Has the pennies that you receive monthly taken over your common thinking ability.
If so your common thinking has put you so far behind other Reservations that you may never catch up.
FACE THE FACTS BEFORE AND SEE ROBERT SMITH AND THERESA NIETO FOR WHAT THEY REALLY ARE.
THEY ARE SO CORRUPT AND GREEDY AND DON'T CARE WHO THEY HURT IN THEIR QUEST TO STAY IN CHARGE OF THE PEOPLE IN PALA.
WHY, BECAUSE IF THEY ARE EVER OUSTED AND AN AUDIT IS DONE ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERSHIP THEY WILL BE SENT TO PRISON FOR THEIR CRIMES WITHOUT ANY DOUBT.
AND UNTIL THIS HAPPENS NOTHING IN PALA WILL EVER CHANGE FOR THE GOOD OF THE BAND AS A WHOLE.
SO IF YOU REALLY WANT A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER THEN GET RID OF THE EVIL THAT SITS IN JUDGEMENT OF THE PEOPLE AT THE MEETINGS. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT THE TRIBE WILL PROSPER FOR THE BETTER OF ALL MEMBERS.
OR OTHERWISE JUST STAY QUIET AND SETTLE FOR YOUR PENNIES WHILE ROBERT AND THERESA STEAL MILLIONS OF YOUR DOLLARS
TO SERVE THEIR OWN CORRUPT AGENDA.

Anonymous said...

Know your bitter and angry and hurt but that doesn’t help.

Anonymous said...

Worship him, give him glory, serve him, deliver your sacrifice to Robert the great, move mountains for him, show him that you are his faithful sevants, offer your children up to him, give your soul to him you heathens, he is your god, the very salvation of your lives, then when you stand before the one true God tell him how you did. His response will be get there Jensen from me throw cruel and wicked servant off to Gahanna with you.

Anonymous said...

All people that side with Robert the great are his minions and are guilty of all his crimes

Anonymous said...

A letter from Robert Smith to Amy Dutschke was posted here before where he said there was a $141 million dollar revenue surplus invested in high yield securities as of year end 2008. After reviewing the financial statements from this period it is clear that this surplus was never reported to the General Council. When the EC planned a Casino expansion they took out a loan for the money, they didn't tap into a surplus or reserve fund. The EC has never reported interest income or revenue surplus to the General Council.

So what happened to this $141 million dollars? Even when Smith bought Pala Interactive for himself he took out a loan. Was this his personal fund, was it used for bribes or contributions to his collaborators favorite charities?

The revenue from the Casino is supposed to be distributed to tribal members, not hidden away. He already skims off the top and steals whatever is not reported in the audited financial statement. Now add any money that is left over after the budget expenses are paid.

This is real evidence of embezzlement. Only tribal members have standing to take action against a Chairman who has embezzled from the tribe. It is a slam dunk to prove. Any members got the cojones to take down the thief?

Anonymous said...

Can you re-post the letter please.
People tend to forget these issues and need to be reminded. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

If it is hard evidence for sure i will use it and do something with it to take Smith and Nieto down. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

https://www.scribd.com/document/398964288/2001-Revenue-Allocation-Plan-404#from_embed

Here is the link. Don't know if it works. You can also search "allocation" in the search field and it will retrieve a post that says 01-07 Revenue Allocation Plan. Scroll down to see the letter from Robert Smith about $141 million in surplus revenue.

To get the financial statements will be harder. You will have to cooperate with the people who have them. I know where mine came from and it is from a Britten descendant like me. The disenrollees have no standing to bring an action against the PBMI otherwise I would do it myself. If you are really motivated you should contact kupa857 "at" gmail "dot" com.

Anonymous said...

Oh right, now you want to sue Chairman Porky? The evidence is all here on the blog. Pala Interactive in Robert Smith's name, revenue surplus not reported to GC, Margarita Britten blood degree reduced without evidence, theft of the economic development fund, skimming of cash from the Casino, targeted federal grant funds held in mingled accounts, bribing sheriffs, bribing the DA, bribing the BIA, bribing the FBI, release of the Vulcan fund without updating the membership rolls, no reported interest income, election fraud, hiring attorneys without GC approval, changing the name of the Band, murder, cover-ups, Pala Raceway, forged documents, fraud, mismanagement, and on and on and on.

Like Pala members even care that the Chairman is stealing their money. I think they like having the fattestr, grossest, most corrupt Chairman in California. Like Native Pride?



Anonymous said...

All talk and no action equals nothing.
Why even have tribal meetings, it is always the same bullshit.
Smith and Nieto tell their lies and everyone is satisfied
meeting over thanks for coming.
Raise your hand for questions and depending who you are they will ignore you.
And i9f you are lucky enough to get to ask any questions either Andrew Smith or Jimbo Goodpasture will start mouthing off and saying things about the people asking questions and smith will not say anything to them.
So if you want change in Pala get the chairman pig and owl face out.

Anonymous said...

Or at the very least call for an Audit of all the Bands financials and smith and nieto will step down or go directly to jail.
Then and only then can Pala be Pala again.

Anonymous said...

To Rob and Nieto:
Hate will only get you "ONE THING" in the end.
HELL HELL HELL where you both will be for eternity.
Is it really worth it for you both to be so corrupt and hateful. \
Just remember when you die you both will leave family members here and their outcome, because of you crimes against Band members will not be forgotten and they will pay deeply for what you have done.
This is not a threat, it's a promise.

Anonymous said...

Robert is just jealous because he is just the chairman of PBMI and will never be called the King of Pala like KING FREEMAN was.
So get over it you fat slob little baby BITCH.
You mommie is calling you Rob and wants you to please bring her 50 gallons of ice water because she can't bear the heat much longer.

Anonymous said...

Calm down with the shit talking...this ain’t coming from the disenrolled. All we want is to be reinstated and for things to go back the way they were. We don’t wish any ill will towards anyone for mistakes that were made as long as they make an effort to right the wrongs. It is never to late to do the right thing, make amends and be forgiven. We ALL hope this will be put behind us soon and over time let the wounds heal. It’s been a long 8 years and we have lost several tribal members enrolled and disenrolled and it is time to end this chapter in Pala’s history. The sooner we are welcomed back the sooner Pala can move forward and move on. I hope this is seen by the right people who can and will make a change meaning you 6 EC members who have the power to do what’s right and earn our respect.

Anonymous said...

@ 10:54
Mistakes my ass, the disenrollments were done done out pure hate from Smith, Nieto and Perez against Willy Pink and King Freeman.
The only mistake that was made was that these 3 EC members used fake documents to pull it off.
They used the 1928 applications to do their dirty work.
In the Bands constitution it clearly states that the only documents to be used for enrollment is the 1913 rolls,
which clearly show that Margarita Britten was 4/4 Cupeno
and that was a final decision made by the Sec. of the Interior after a long hard investigation by the Interior
and it's staff.
And as of today 2/23/2020 it has not changed.
The 1928 applications that Smith and Nieto used for the disenrollments were a pile of bogus bullshit to get what they wanted gone because they were afraid that they would be exposed for what they really are, liars , crocks, corrupt, two faced bastards.
And to top that off the members are afraid to stand up to them in fear of the same thing happening to their family so the EC uses this to keep the members under their thumbs.
But make no mistake if you piss them off they will use whatever they can to get what they want.
And who's fault is it, well just look into the mirror and point your finger and see who it points to.
That's right it points right at you because all of this BS can be stopped if you all stand together against the corruption of the EC that is killing off your people.
Better act soon because they are gearing up to strike again real soon.

Unknown said...

On a POSITIVE NOTE!
Yesterday's whiffle ball tournament was a breath of fresh air for Pala. The fun and sportsmanship was awsome. The age of the competitors went from 5 too 54 ! The majority of the E.C. Where present. Someone from every family from Pala and some from Rincon where present. This is exactly what we need for our Youth and families. Thank You Bradly for going beyond what is asked of you and thank you E.C.for supporting. When is the next Event ?

Anonymous said...

If the majority of the EC were there they must have some kind of hidden agenda.

Unknown said...

You know your probably rite! I bet they where scouting for there own team next tournament. Nieto pitching, Villa catching, the Smith's in the infield and Ravago and Guachino in the outfield.

Anonymous said...

@ Unknown

You forgot the umpire, Amy Douchbag who is calling the outs behind home plate.

Anonymous said...

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak the Pala Band of Missions should stop busing in the people from different cities like in the Los Angles area to our Casino until this virus is under control.
Many of the people taking the buses are of Asian decent
and are not very sanitized when coming to the Casino.
They have a very bad habit of spiting in the trash cans through the Casino and a coughing without covering their mouth when in the crowd.
The blow their noses without tissue and wipe the snotty
hands on the sides of the chairs or on the machines.
Just last night when i was leaving the Casino a person that came on the bus blew his nose on the side walk and spit in the same area.
I told him not to be so dirty and use a tissue and he got smart with me.
I told him to come on and try something and he back down.
The money should not be a factor with a stop busing issue.
In fact it will save money by not giving out the comps
and that is a lot of money each month.
Just today a new case of the virus was found in the Indio area.
Better to be safe than sorry.
If one person the Reservation come down with this virus
it would be bad for all the Residents in Pala.

Anonymous said...

Everyone knows that that some of the EC members read this blog on a daily basis.
My question to them is why no one has responded to this post if you care about the members and the public that go to our Casino concerning this virus outbreak say something, anything, you money hungry Mother #uckers.

Anonymous said...

Will someone please make Robert Smith and Theresa Nieto a bowl of coronavirus stew.

Anonymous said...

ILLINOIS CASINOS ARE CLOSING FOR 2 WEEKS. IS CALIFORNIA FAR BEHIND? WHAT ACTIONS HAS THE TRIBE TAKEN TO PROTECT ITS ELDERS, SICK AND CHILDREN? SINCE THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS SO MUCH MONEY, THEY SHOULD USE THE MONEY FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY AT THIS VERY DANGEROUS TIME. CLOSE THE HOTEL. MAKE THE STORES OF TOILET PAPER AND KLEENEX AVAILABLE TO THE ELDERS. BRING FOOD BOXES TO OUR ELDERS AND START PLANNING THIS LIKE YESTERDAY. IF YOU ARE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND YOU HAVE NOT MADE YOUR DISASTER RELIEF PLAN KNOWN, THEN COME ON THIS BLOG OR THE PALAREZ PAGE AND MAKE IT KNOWN HOW YOU ARE GOING TO HELP OUR ELDERS!!!! IM A DISENROLEE BUT I STILL HAVE MANY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO ARE IN PALA AND THEY DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO COME TOMORROW! I CHALLENGE YOU ALL ON THE COMMITTEE TO REACH OUT TODAY TO SHOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO TODAY TO MAKE MY FAMILY, MY COUSINS, MY RELATIVES, ALL OF PALA, SAFE. YOU ARE DOING DIDDLY SQUAT AS OF RIGHT NOW. PROTECT OUR FAMILIES!!!

Anonymous said...

OH, I FORGOT TO MENTION, VEGAS BUFFETS ARE CLOSING, ALL AREAS WHERE PEOPLE CAN POTENTIALLY BE EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS ARE CLOSING. SAVE YOUR MONEY, BUY FOOD FOR YOUR ELDERS, STOP THROWING IT AWAY ON DRUGS, GAMBLING, ALCOHOL, CARS, MATERIAL ITEMS, URGE YOUR ELDERS TO STAY INDOORS. COMMITTEE, SHOW US WHAT LEVEL YOUR INTELLIGENCE IS, ITS TIME FOR PLAN C, WHAT YOUR DOING IS WASTING TIME AND LIVES. IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE TIME TO CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY, THEN STEP DOWN

Anonymous said...

Pechanga Casino is shutting down this Sunday until the end of the month.
And so is San Manuel due to the virus spreading.
I wonder id Pala will also close down.
If Pala does in fact close down there should still be money to pay its members for at least a few months according to a statement made by Smith and Nieto at a meeting awhile back.
This would be a good time for an Audit if they don't pay the members to find out where all the money has been spent.
Stay tuned for more updates to see if the Pala EC tries to bullshit the members, AGAIN.
All they really need to do is stop all the buses from bringing in so many people that don't spend enough money
to make up for the comps that they receive when they arrive at the Casino.
In fact the Tribe will save at the very least almost
two million dollars a month by stop busing in the people .
At the meetings the bus expense is a lot of money as well as at least 2 million dollars in comps given to the people that come on the buses.
I truly believe that stopping the buses will cut way down the chances of spreading the virus.
The new GM at the Casino should realize this and act accordingly.

Anonymous said...

Latest rumor, Rincon will be closing its doors, unsubstantiated, but by word of mouth

Anonymous said...

I agree with 9:31 pm about the buses bringing in people from other cities because you just never know who is sick and who is not.
It is better to be safe now and not be sorry later.
Another reason the buses should be shut down is with Pechanga closing and the Rincon Casino may also close and if Pala stays open the will be so crowed with the overflow of gamblers from shut downs that the bus people will be not a good idea.

Anonymous said...

"KEEP THE PALA CASINO OPEN"
However stop busing the people in from the Los Angles area.
Its a win win for PALA.
I just heard that Valley View is stopping the buses.

Anonymous said...

YOU FUCKING RETARDS

Anonymous said...

The Pauma Casino has closed it's door as of Sunday around 5pm.
Pechanga will close it's doors today until the end of March.
Haven't heard anything about Barona or any of the east county Casinos.
Pala is staying open for now but has closed it's buffet
and other eating places in the Casino.

Anonymous said...

@ 3:44 PM
This virus is some serious shit.
So go fuck yourself you fucking retard.

Anonymous said...

I just don't understand these Casino's still busing people in from the Los Angles area when the Mayor of L.A.
has shut down eating places and bars to help fight this deadly virus.
The GM at Pala should realize that he is the one putting the Reservation residents at risk by allowing these buses to come to Pala.
With the nearby Casinos being shut down Pala will be very
crowded and the buses will just be a risk to everyone else.

Anonymous said...

So with all the bars & eating places being shut down throughout California is pala casino staying open so Robert H. Smith has a place to sit & drink and piss on walls? You pala people should look around, responsible casinos are shutting down all around you to protect their employees, their patrons, and their tribal members. But in pala it's business as usual, it's "just think how busy pala will be", "but as long as we stop the buses we will all be safe". What if this deadly virus rolls up in a car full of sick people? The bottom line is quit talking about busses and and $$$ business and do the right thing to do your part in fighting this virus and shut the fucking place down like the responsible reservations around you are doing. If not, then stop crying about busses and go have a drink with your fearless leader Robert Smith at the casino bar, I hear he's there every night, have fun!

Anonymous said...

Robert Smith is busing in coronavirus carriers in hopes that the elders get sick and die. Everyone knows he hates old people.

Anonymous said...

Smith has already been exposed to the virus from someone that hates him.
Now he is pissed off because the Clinic does not have any test kits so he can't be tested.
With any kind luck he will just stay home and rot.
He is already more than half rotten anyway.
Thank you KARMA.

Anonymous said...

Smith should be more worried about swine flu that coronavirus.

Anonymous said...

Either way in the end his ass is "PORK".

Anonymous said...

I will never eat pork chops again,
or bacon.
I would feel like i am eating his pig ass.

angelenaalessandro said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

@ 4:43 AM,
Go and blow your nose in your cheese burger and enjoy your lunch and stop using these blog for your bullshit ads.

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Unknown said...

Good little worker bees ride on