Tribal casino seeks operational oversight by Station Casinos

Station Casinos has been asked to temporarily run day-to-day operations of the Thunder Valley Casino by the American Indian tribe which owns the casino, the tribe and casino company confirmed Thursday.

Three executives at the casino owned by the United Auburn Indian Community northeast of Sacramento, Calif., were terminated and the chief executive officer was placed on administrative leave, according to tribe spokesman Doug Elmets.

Elmets said the decision was made by the tribe to ask for Station Casinos’ help until more experienced casino executives are hired to manage the economic downturn.

There was no impropriety by the executives let go, Elmets said.

Station Casinos has been in an advisory role at the casino as part of a seven-year management contract that expires June 2010. The property, which opened on June 9, 2003, has 2,676 slots and 100 gaming tables on 49 acres.

The three positions terminated were the vice presidents of finance, operations and marketing.

Richard St. Jean, Station Casinos’ president of American Indian operations, will temporarily take over as general manager until a permanent replacement is found.

He spent time as general manager of five casinos, including Palace Station and Santa Fe Station.

The move comes two months after construction on an expansion was halted with four floors of a planned 23-story hotel tower framed.

Elmets said an announcement about the restarting of a downsized project would be made in the next few weeks, with plans to complete construction next year.

Contact reporter Arnold M. Knightly at aknightly@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.