Schwarzenegger: Tribe Violated Compact

As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune: "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger contends that recent casino-related construction by the Jamul Indian band violated the tribe's state gambling compact, and he has summoned tribal leaders to Sacramento to talk about it.

"Triggering the first step of a formal process to resolve compact disputes, Schwarzenegger's legal affairs secretary sent the tribe's chairman a letter dated Tuesday, calling for a 'meet and confer' session by Jan. 4.

"The letter cites the tribe's Dec. 10 ceremonial groundbreaking, the moving of homes off the reservation and some grading on an adjacent parcel last weekend as evidence that the tribe is in 'material breach' of its compact.

"The Jamul tribe can't legally begin construction work on its proposed high-rise casino until a federal environmental report on the project is completed and off-reservation impacts are addressed.

"…Tribal Chairman Leon Acebedo said none of the actions the tribe has taken could be considered construction of the proposed casino, which has generated more community opposition than any other Indian gaming project in the region…"