San Juan Capistrano Council Assails Casino Plans

In scathing language, the City Council has voted to oppose efforts by members of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians to bring a gambling casino here, saying that it could do “irreparable damage” and that “their greed is despicable.”

The council denounced the Juanenos, who for centuries have called this city their ancestral home, accusing them during a Tuesday night meeting of acting with deception by signing an agreement with outside investors to build a gaming facility.

“We are very disappointed that certain members of our community who have presented themselves as the protectors of our community’s historic integrity have in reality been in a secret scheme with Las Vegas gambling interests to build a casino in San Juan Capistrano,” according to a statement by the council.

“Such hypocrisy is unconscionable, and this council will do everything in its power to ensure that a gambling casino never becomes a part of the city of San Juan Capistrano and hopefully nowhere in Orange County,” said the statement, read by Councilman John Greiner.

In calling a casino “a public health and safety threat,” the resolution also expressed concerns about the potential impact of a casino, including noise and traffic, and fears that such a facility would compromise the city’s architecture and historic heritage.

Jean Frietze, chief of a Juaneno faction that is seeking to establish gambling here, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. But Sonia Johnston, tribal chairwoman of the other Juaneno faction, said Wednesday that she is the only properly elected authority for the entire tribe and that she adamantly opposes the other faction’s alliance with outside investors.