July 8, 2022 — Big Sandy Rancheria joined the growing number of Indian tribes suing California Governor Gavin Newsom because of the State’s unlawful demands to control their governments through gaming compacts. In an unprecedented 82-page complaint filed by Peebles Kidder Bergin & Robinson LLP, Big Sandy detailed extensive demands by the State that violate federal law. Big Sandy Rancheria operates the Mono Wind Casino in Fresno, California.
As pled in the Tribe’s complaint, the State demanded control over the Tribe’s ability to develop its property, control over the Tribe’s non-gaming employees, control over the Tribe’s employment practices, and control over the Tribe’s restaurants. The State also demanded that the Tribe submit to the State’s unworkable laws regarding tort lawsuits. And the State demanded that the Tribe pay more to both the State and its local governments for the opportunity to continue supporting its members through revenues from Indian gaming.
The case is Big Sandy Band of Western Mono Indians v. Newsom, et al., Eastern District of California Case No. 1:22-CV-0844-BAM.