Oneidas, Pataki Squabble Over Casino Money

ALBANY, New York -- The leader of the Oneida Indian Nation yesterday accused top negotiators for Gov. George Pataki of bargaining in bad faith over land claims and other issues with the tribe.

"Tribal President Ray Halbritter said the Pataki administration during land-claim talks has made `11th- hour' demands for the tribe to turn over a portion of revenues generated by its Turning Stone casino to the state.

"...He said the Oneidas were willing to shut down Turning Stone and associated tribal ventures rather than to accede to `revenue sharing' with the state. According to financial filings, the 1,000-member Oneida tribe made a profit of about $70 million last year on Turning Stone.

"The Oneidas are one of several New York tribes that have said they would like to build one of the three Indian casinos allowed in the Catskills. A compact with the state is needed to open a casino, so friction between the tribe and Pataki could put a crimp in compact talks.

"...Halbritter said agreements with both the Pataki administration and that of former Gov. Mario Cuomo ruled out payments based on Turning Stone gambling revenues.

"...The tribal leader called more than 1,000 of his employees together last week to tell them of the direction of the talks with the state and how the Pataki administration was threatening Turning Stone jobs by its stand on getting some gambling revenues from the tribe.

"...Pataki has been critical that the compact Cuomo reached with the Oneidas did not cut the state in on Turning Stone revenues..."