SALAMANCA, N.Y. – In a first for an Indian nation in New York
state, the Seneca Nation Tuesday moved against a Salamanca business
owner who allegedly used a Nation member as a front to obtain
native rights he was not entitled to for his business.
The Nation announced it had cooperated with the U.S. Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives in its investigation of a case of
unregistered cigarette and gasoline sales at two businesses in
Salamanca.
The apparent focus of the federal investigation, Lloyd Long,
president of Pirshlo Inc., allegedly used the owner’s native status
as a “front.” Pirshlo is listed as a real estate company in
Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. Long is not a Seneca Nation
member.
At no time was the Nation or its operations the subject of the
ATF investigation.
The Nation member involved will not be identified. Pirshlo
managed the two Uni-Mart Stores in Salamanca. The Nation terminated
the leases for these stores effective Thursday for ongoing lease
violations.
ATF agents executed search warrants at Long’s residence at 211
Front Ave., in Salamanca Tuesday. Special Agents from ATF and
several field agents were present, along with Seneca Nation
marshals and Nation Import-Export Commission officials.
The federal agency executed the warrants, but did not file any
charges. Agency spokesman Joseph Green said it was part of an
ongoing investigation and he would have no further comment.
Nation law prohibits possession of unstamped cigarettes by
anyone other than a stamping agent licensed by the Seneca
Nation.
“The Seneca Nation will continue to cooperate with federal and
state authorities,” President Maurice A. John Sr. said. “The Nation
has little sympathy for outsiders who take advantage of our
members, their native rights, and the Nation’s treaty-protected
jurisdiction, for their own private benefit.
“All retailers who ignore Nation law put their business licenses
and products at risk.”
John said the Nation’s cooperation with federal authorities
shows the effectiveness of its self-regulation of trade on its
native territories, adding it comes at a time when some state
officials have questioned the Nation’s sovereignty rights.
Gary Sanden, chief executive officer of the Nation’s
Import-Export Commission, agreed, saying “The time of Senecas being
taken advantage of in cases like this is over. We’re going to make
sure we monitor our own transactions closely and catch
wrongdoers.”
Further action by the Nation is pending in the case.
“The Seneca Nation will not tolerate activities that jeopardize
our treaty-protected rights of self-determination and the free use
and enjoyment of our lands. The Seneca Nation’s Import-Export Law
promotes the economic prosperity and security of the Seneca
people,” John said.
“The Seneca Nation also strives to encourage and develop and
protect economically sound commerce and industry through
governmental action.”
The Seneca Nation’s Import-Export Law imposes a fee on all
tobacco products imported into Nation territory prior to their
retail sale. Payment of the fee is reflected by the application of
a Seneca Nation import stamp on every pack of cigarettes and all
pipe tobacco. Tobacco products not bearing a Seneca Nation stamp
are considered contraband and subject to seizure and forfeiture,
unless possessed by a stamping agent licensed by the Seneca Nation.
Proceeds from the fee go to the Nation to further its programs on
behalf of all Senecas.
