The Tribal Gaming Agency

The Tribal Gaming Agency (TGA) ordinance was established by the Me-Wuk Tribal Council on April 18, 2001, to regulate, license, investigate, and monitor all gaming activities on tribal lands, which includes the Black Oak Casino.

The Tribal Gaming Agency is comprised of three Commissioners, each of whom is selected by the Community Council. The position of Gaming Commissioner serves for indefinite term, and it is not a requirement to be a tribal member.

The Tribal Gaming Agency (TGA) is comprised of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and a Secretary/Treasurer. The Chairperson presides over all meetings of the Tribal Gaming Agency. The Vice Chairperson presides over meetings in absence of the Chairperson and the Secretary/Treasurer maintains all regulatory requirements, implementation and maintenance.

The Tribal Gaming Agency is funded by the Me-Wuk Tribe to assure that the Agency can effectively regulate the Tribe's gaming activities and to assure the Tribal Gaming Agency remains financially accountable to the Tribal Council.

The Tribal Gaming Agency has the power and duty, with the primary responsibility to carry out the Tribe's regulatory responsibilities under Federal or Tribal Law and the State Gaming Compact; to enforce those requirements and to protect the integrity of the Gaming activities and the reputation of the Tribe and the Gaming operation for honesty, fairness, and confidence of patrons.

Other duties and responsibilities include inspect, examine, and monitor the Gaming activities: prepare reports and monitor compliance, investigate any suspicion of wrongdoing in connection with the Gaming facility or related Gaming activity, including imposing fines or other sanctions against licensees or other persons who interfere with or violate the Tribe's gaming regulatory requirements under applicable federal, tribal law or the State Gaming Compact. In addition, the Gaming Agency has the responsibility to conduct background investigations regarding any person or entity in any way connected with any Gaming activity and issue licenses and identification badges to, at a minimum all key employees, primary management officials, and gaming resource suppliers.

The Tribal Gaming Agency is required to enforce all relevant laws and rules with respect to the Gaming operation and Gaming facility, and conduct investigations and hold hearings regarding enforcement as well as other matters within the Tribal Gaming Agency jurisdiction, as well as to protect the physical safety of gaming patrons, employees, and others in the Gaming Facility.

The Tuolumne Mi-Wuk Gaming Agency is organized in the following manner: Delmar Geisdorff (Gaming Commissioner, Chairperson) presides over the Tribal Gaming Agency. He also personally provides the daily leadership over the Surveillance Department. He specifies the type of surveillance equipment and ensures that it is the latest technology available in the industry.

The Licensing Department consists of background and investigations and is managed by Lori Severson (Gaming Commissioner, Vice Chairperson) personally oversees all background investigations of employees and vendors who work or do business with the Black Oak Casino. The licensing department consists of one (1) background investigator. In addition, Lori instructs her staff on the issuance of gaming identification cards to authorized individuals for a proper level of security access throughout the Casino.

Edewaa Foster oversees the Compliance Department as well as the Internal Audit Department. It is his role to oversee the development, implementation and maintenance of all regulatory requirements.

Earl Wearin is the Tribal Gaming Agency Executive Director, and his responsibility is to coordinate the activities and daily functions of the Tribal Gaming Agency. He also assists in day to day operations.

Patrick Castro is Director of Surveillance. The Surveillance Department consists of approximately 16 surveillance agents and supervisors as well as 4 surveillance technicians and 1 lead technician. Patrick is responsible for all Surveillance related activities throughout Black Oak Casino and the Tribal Gaming Agency. He also plans directs and supervises the daily surveillance operations. His main focus is to protect the all aspects of gaming activities and the tribal assets.

Virginia Valente-Aguiar, Executive Administrator Assistant in charge of all accounts payable and receivables, banking, payroll, budgeting, forecasting, and human resources, benefits, workers compensation and events. She also assists the Commissioners in the daily activities, meetings and reservations.

Julie Powell, Senior Internal Auditor, responsibilities are to ensure that the casino is in compliance with the Tribal Internal Control Standards, the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Minimum Internal Control Standards, and all Casino policies and procedures. The internal audit department also performs special investigations, independent reviews of Casino operational and administrative controls throughout the year as well as process all Casino Policies and Procedures. The Internal Audit Department consists of two (2) internal auditors.

Danny Wandersee, Director of Compliance, duties are to manage the Tribal Gaming Agencies Compliance Department staff. He and his staff of thirteen (13) are responsible for ensuring that the Casino staff and employees remain in compliance in all aspects of the Gaming operation as well as policies and procedures.

Jamie Handrock, Compliance Administrative Assistant, position is to help keep the Compliance Department running smoothly. She oversees the dayshift activities of the department. Her duties also include watching for gaming violations on the casino floor.