A federal judge overseeing a tribal dispute that closed a Central California casino admonished the rival factions on Wednesday after they reported little progress in talks aimed at resolving the conflict and reopening the facility.
U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill said the groups had shown a lack of leadership and were hurting hundreds of employees at the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino who have been left without paychecks because of the closure. He planned to rule later in the day on a request by the state attorney general that the casino remain closed because of a lack of progress in talks.
Officials shut down the casino earlier this month after an armed tribal faction stormed it, raising concerns about public safety.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
