“The claims of this business group are appalling and unsubstantiated. At best, they are misrepresentations about the affairs of other tribes. Any Class II game that Pechanga offers has received an advisory opinion from the National Indian Gaming Commission.”

“Moreover, Pechanga has honored our agreement with the State. We are proud to be one of the top contributors to the State of California under the '99 Compact. To date we’ve provided more than $67 million to the state.

“Under federal law, Class II games are clearly under the purview of federal and tribal regulators. Our compact also provides a clear process for the State to inspect our gaming facility. In fact, on its several recent inspections the State had no problem in identifying Class II games within the gaming facility. If a difference of opinion should arise between the Tribe and State regarding Class II games, the compacts contemplate resolution of that issue on a government-to-government basis.

“Any suggestion that Pechanga is ignoring our commitment to the greater community is totally without merit. We have provided our neighboring communities with $8 million for road widening, sound walls, and other improvements. The City of Temecula and Riverside County have benefited substantially by our payments to the Special Distribution Fund. In recent years we have contributed more than $1 million to local schools. And last November, we provided $1.5 million to the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Riverside County.

“Today, Pechanga employs 4,951 people. In 2004, our direct and indirect economic activities resulted in the payment of slightly more than $1 billion in wages, benefits and funding for essential governmental services such as housing, healthcare, education, police and fire protection, cultural preservation, child and senior care, and reservation infrastructure improvements.”

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