Tribe confused with another group
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Re “Checks Roll In as Laws Flow Out,” Aug. 31
I am an attorney for the Gabrieleno-Tongva Indian tribe. Your story describes my client as “ersatz.” The Tongva are neither nonexistent nor phony. The lobbying and payments described in the article were not done by my clients. A Santa Monica group claiming to be the tribe seems to be the source of the money. This group unsuccessfully sued the tribe and, in fact, recently settled the case with a considerable payment to my client.
The Times states correctly that the tribe is not now legally eligible for a casino and that the alleged Santa Monica group is trying to get legislation passed that would allow a casino in Los Angeles County. This would be neither legal nor proper, and the Tongva tribe does not support this group’s efforts.
JACK L. SCHWARTZ
Los Angeles
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