[December 12, 2013]

Ayala Quorum Council: N.Y. Supreme Court Victory over Lewis Faction Reaffirms Quorum's Control of Chukchansi Casino, Tribal Affairs

A New York State Supreme Court Justice this morning threw out a host of claims filed against Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians Tribal Council Chairwoman Nancy Ayala and the ruling Ayala Quorum Council.

The decision, by Justice Melvin Schweitzer, dismissed motions filed by three former Council members, including Reggie Lewis and Chance Alberta, said Chairwoman Ayala. According to Ayala, the judge's decision represents "a big win for the Chukchansi people and a major loss for the rogue Lewis-Alberta group."

Said Ayala: "The Justice's refusal to declare the Lewis-Alberta the leaders o the Chukchansi Tribe and his decision to leave in place the current financial structure - where the Ayala Quorum Council runs the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino and the tribal government - reaffirms the work we're doing for the people.

"The Lewis-Alberta group talks about helping our people, but we're the ones doing the work," said Ayala. "We pay the Tribe's bills, we have day-to-day control of the casino, and we provide services to our people from our offices on the Rancheria."

Tribal Council Secretary Tracey Brechbuehl echoed Ayala's satisfaction at the Justic's decision. Said Brechbuehl: "The more the Lewis-Alberta group wastes time and money trying to hurt their own people with false court motions, the more determined we are to keep getting things done. Thank goodness the Justice ruled in our favor."

Said Ayala, the chairwoman: "We have families who need their per capita, elders who need assistance and children who need to pay tuition. These folks won today. The last thing our people needed would be for the Lewis-Alberta faction to get their hands on more of the Tribe's money. The Justice stopped that cold this morning."

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