Bustamante Controversy [his brother is general manager of an Indian casino]

ABC30 ^ | 9-29 | ABC30

[ambrose]

Bustamante Controversy

There is new controversy surrounding recall candidate Cruz Bustamante and Indian gaming money.

A federal judge last week ordered the lieutenant governor to return the money he raised from tribes around the state, because they surpassed campaign contribution limits.

Now, comes word that the general manager of the Big Sandy Rancheria Casino is Andrew Bustamante, his younger brother.

Critics are concerned that if Cruz Bustamante is elected governor, he would be working directly with casino leaders, like his brother, in future gaming contracts.

But, in a statement to Action News, Andrew Bustamante said, "You don't entrust your business to someone just because they're someone's little brother, and to insinuate that, it's very insulting to the people of Big Sandy Rancheria. I just hope the electorate sees through this political game."

It's also worth noting that the Mono Wind tribe says it hasn't given any money to Bustamante's campaign, although experts say it would not be illegal if the tribe did.

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  Last Updated: Sep 29, 2003

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[ambrose]

ping

[ambrose]

Ambrose, how will you celebrate Arnie's victory?

Hey... I'd LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to be able to post a long public apology six months from now saying how wrong I was about Arnold.... I'd rather the state do well than be right...

[ambrose]

I guess the biggest difference between Arnold and Bustamante is the following:

With Bustamante, you can be certain he'll drive this state down the poopshoot... with Arnold, you can at least hope he'll prove ya wrong...

[kayak]

ping

[ambrose]

That's why I think Tom's support will likely collapse on election day. People are simply too afraid of the BustaBoogeyMan.

[Red Barr]

Critics are concerned that if Cruz Bustamante is elected governor, he would be working directly with casino leaders, like his brother Andrew Bustamante also that would include future gaming contracts and special interest with organized crime. Don’t forget Tom McClintock is also on the “scam” of collecting money from the Casinos. If Arnold is not elected in this recall race you can “kiss” the Republicans off for the next 10 years. Just think if the democrats where collecting money from the casinos you will experance graft, crime and high taxes thanks to the liberals in both parties Gray Davis, Cruz Bustamante and Tom McClintock……

[DoctorZIn]

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[cherry]

Indian casino money will be the ruin of the entire democratic system, the way they can buy elections, gaming rule changes, etc....

in my state, the Democratic governor made it possible for a tiny , distant tribe to buy non-Indian land and set up a big casino near town.....

of course, there are political pay backs...

for one, in our cash strapped state where poorer adults have been kicked off Basic Health care because the state can't pay for it anymore....in our state our lovely legislators turned down the opportunity to let hotels and restaurants have slot machines like the casinos.....

too much compition for the tribes and they had to keep the gamblers in a stranglehold.....

I for one, am against gambling on principle but if its good for the gander, its good for the goose....

if you let some people make billions in a business, then all of us should be able to do that same business....

[Miss Marple]

Why are these stories coming out now?

I think they are coming from the Davis camp, because they don't really have anything new on Arnold, so they think maybe those who would vote for Bustamante will gravitate back to Davis, keeping him in office.

[Dog]

Bingo!

[dorothy]

Our local Chumash Indians (big time casino owners) are sending some $$ to McClintock's campaign, in an effort to split the vote and defeat Arnold. It's not as if McClintock's actively soliciting their donations. I'd just as soon that cash go to someone other than Bustamonte anyway.

Also, it's not just casino money tht may be in the offing. Bustababy want to increase state cigarette taxes $1.50 a pack, meaning a pack will then cost around $6.50. Now, question time: what single group is allowed to sell tax-free ciggies? What a handy way for non-casino tribes to create tribal income.

[Red Barr]

The mistake that McClintock made was when he said yes to the money that was flowing in from the Indian casino owners. If he would have said no to the “Indian casino owners” special interest group I might see him in a “different light”.... but he sold himself out to the liberal left and special interest. He should have known when you make a “pack” with certain people, favors must be returned by turning a blind eye to the voters and keep in step with the money trail……

Vote October 7th for Arnold Schwarzenegger

[george wythe]

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the general manager of the Big Sandy Rancheria Casino is Andrew Bustamante, his younger brother.

Poor political performance by Bustamante, both the casino manager and the lt. governor.

The casino manager should have resigned [temporarily, of course] the moment he found out that his brother was running for governor.

Since the Democrats are used to getting away with corruption in California, he probably thought it was no big deal.

[CyberAnt]

I totally agree!! And .. I'll join you.