The Chukchansi Gold Casino in Coarsegold, California, simply 40 miles north of Fresno, has been closed by purchase of a federal judge after a strange management power struggle that culminated in an armed invasion of the building.

A tribal faction that claims rightful ownership associated with the Indian casino had apparently been ousted to a local company park in August carrying out a disputed election, but returned on Thursday, with guns drawn.

About 20 armed guys entered the casino at around 6:30 pm, sending customers running for cover, and ordered security guards at gunpoint into a protected area of the building. Guards were reportedly assaulted and handcuffed, but no casino customers had been harmed.

The mark, it seems, were casino papers and accounts which can be overdue for submission to the National Indian Gaming Commission. The Commission had threatened to shut the casino down and issue it a $16 million fine if the necessary audits and accounts, some that are 18 months late, had been not submitted. It would seem, then, that the ousted faction violently stormed the casino so that you can do its accounts.

Standoff Filmed

Madera County Sheriff deputies soon arrived at the scene and evacuated the building of some 500 people; however, the men could not be Read More