Salamanca, NY (WBEN) The Seneca Nation Council approved a resolution directing the transfer of funds to resolve the Nation's outstanding gaming Compact dispute with New York State as soon as possible. The amount is more than $560,000.
The Council resolution calls for transferring $564,842,625.20 from a restricted escrow account in which Compact-related funds have been held throughout the five-year dispute. The amount covers the period of January 1, 2017-December 31, 2021. The Senecas say will allow for restrictions placed on several bank accounts held by the Seneca Nation and its businesses to be lifted.
Seneca President Matthew Pagels says the action by the state to freeze accounts was unjust, as he says the state knew the Senecas had the money to cover compact matters. "The Seneca Nation simply could not stand by while New York State intentionally attempted to hold the Seneca people and thousands of Western New Yorkers hostage," says Pagels. "The State may think it's appropriate to force an Elder to go without their diabetes medication or a family, already dealing with the financial impacts of the pandemic, to go without a paycheck. The Seneca Nation won't let that happen. We will not let New York State strangle the people of Western New York."
Pagels says now is the time for the state to come to the table. "Don't use the people of Western New York as pawns in your obvious desire to destroy the Seneca Nation," he said. "You have an obligation under federal law to negotiate a Compact with the Seneca Nation in good faith. Honor it."
The current compact expires in December 2023.
