Leadership and Membership Changes at Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians

The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians is a member of the California Tribal Business Alliance.  The other two member tribes are Pala and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians.  The Chair of CTBA is Leslie Lohse who is also treasurer of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians of California.

Seems there has been a shakeup at Paskenta.  Some were disenrolled.  Their entire council was removed except Chairman Andy Freeman who is keeping his position.

Action News Now - A major shake-up has taken place within the tribe that owns Rolling Hills Casino in Corning

Excerpt:

A little more than 100 members showed up for the meeting (April 12th), but nearly half, including one tribal leader, were asked to leave by Tribal Chair Andy Freeman.

“It bothered him and a lot of things were brought to his attention and he acted on it,” said Tribe Treasurer Ambrosia Rico.

What bothered Freeman is that there were members of the “Henthorne/Pata” family not meeting the criteria for tribal membership.

The criteria is to have direct ancestral lineage to the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians.

Other current tribal members and operators of Rolling Hills tell us they do not know how this family became part of this band around the time Rolling Hills Casino was built.

Their application was denied twice by an expert in anthropologic and genealogy investigations and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Read More Here - Action News Now - A major shake-up has taken place within the tribe that owns Rolling Hills Casino in Corning

Also:

Action News Now - Rolling Hills Casino's governing body going through "tribal transition"

The Big Secret Behind Pala Interactive

What's the Big Secret behind Pala Interactive?  The Big Secret is that it's not really a secret.  It's been all over the news for over a year.  I first linked to a couple of articles on Pala Interactive back in July 2013.  Seems the only people that don't really know about Pala Interactive are tribal members.

Anyone with a computer and internet can pull up information on Pala Interactive.  Here are just a sampling of the various articles over the last year.

July 10, 2013 The Dirty Stack, Pala Interactive’s Hope, Regulation of Online Poker

July 9, 2013 Exclusive: Phil Ivey Signs as Brand Ambassador for Tribal Online Poker in California New business venture Pala Interactive will be headed by ex-bwin.party CEO Jim Ryan.

July 10, 2013 EX-BWIN.PARTY CEO JIM RYAN’S PALA INTERACTIVE JV RAISES EYEBROWS

July 11, 2013 Pala Interactive Formed to Offer Online Poker in California

October 3, 2013 Jim Ryan back in the game

November 8, 2013 More New Jersey Online Poker Licensing: Eight Additional Transactional Waivers Granted

July 26, 2013 Current Online Poker Bills Are Designed to Appease Casino Giants - Part 2

November 4, 2013 Pala Interactive Selects CAMS for Nationwide Internet Poker Rollout

February 1, 2014 New Jersey online gambling technology providers are approved

October 18, 2013 Pala Interactive signs with GeoComply USA

November 8, 2013 Paddy Power, Pala, Betable Seek New Jersey Partner

March 7, 2013 Pala Chairman Reacts to New Jersey Becoming Third State to Legalize Online Gaming

April 9, 2014 Going Commercial

Robert Smith Talks Tribal Gaming and Online Poker

There is a recent article from tribalgovernmentgaming.com dated April 9th, 2014 that quotes Robert Smith fairly extensively.

Here is the link to the article:

Going Commercial By Dave Bontempo Wed, Apr 09, 2014

There is a few paragraph introduction to Indian Gaming.  If you scroll down a bit you will come to this subheading:

Pala: One Powerful Executive

Here are a few quotes:
#
The Pala group used other people’s money to build its empire and the bank had a long-term customer. Pala later obtained a second $125 million loan for expansion and has paid down most of its debt.
“We only owe about $40 million now,” Smith says. “We could pay it off but would rather leave the credit open in case we decide to do a facelift.”
#
That formula also concerns gaming’s next golden goose. Smith, the chairman of the California Tribal Business Alliance, says he has personally helped the effort to bring two online gaming bills before the California legislature. He hopes they pass by the end of the summer, enabling all state tribes the option of establishing online gambling.

“It would take from $10 million to $20 million to get started, so most tribes in California would not be able to do it,” Smith asserts, “but this is another case in which everyone will benefit. We will negotiate a fee for the state and we also will build a call center, etc. Hopefully, we will get this one over the finish line.”

Pala has joined with former PartyPoker chief Jim Ryan to form Pala Interactive. While the tribe has not revealed its plans for this venture, an early announcement that Pala has partnered with poker superstar Phil Ivey is just an indication that Pala has grand visions for a legal iPoker industry in California.

Read Full Article Here - Going Commercial By Dave Bontempo Wed, Apr 09, 2014