A standard press release about a recent congressional hire has touched off concerns for a local anti-casino group.

Peter Tateishi has returned to Republican Congressman Dan Lungren's office in a new role as deputy chief of staff after a year-long stint as a consultant for the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, which is seeking to build a casino development in and around the city of Plymouth.

Tateishi had other clients in his time running Tateishi Strategies, the firm he started after resigning from Lungren's office as intergovernmental affairs officer, but it's his work with the tribe that's been of sole concern for members of No Casino in Plymouth. Specifically, they want Lungren to reaffirm assurances they say he made prior to Tateishi's departure that the Gold River representative won't introduce any bills or attachments that could make it easier for the tribe to build its casino.

"I think the community of Amador County deserves that assurance," said NCIP director Elida Malick, who expected to send the congressman a letter this week requesting that guarantee.

For his part, Tateishi said his new role wouldn't involve "handling any issues pertaining to clients my business once had contracts with. This of course includes the Ione Band of Miwok Indians."

Lungren communications director Brian Kaveney declined to comment extensively, simply reaffirming the "clear understanding" that Tateishi "would have nothing to do with past clients" in his new role.

"I don't think he will," Malick agreed, adding that her group's relationship with the current intergovernmental affairs officer, Alexandra Snyder, has been positive. "She's been very open and concerned with the (Plymouth casino) situation," Malick said.

According to Tateishi, Lungren approached him about the position after being appointed ranking member of the Committee on House Administration in January. Lungren's current chief of staff was selected as staff director for the committee appointment, which led to the new position being created to assist in managing the congressman's district and Washington, D.C. operations, Tateishi said. "I was very honored to be asked by the congressman and I saw it as a unique and exciting opportunity," Tateishi added, "one that would present challenges and growing potential."

Before he accepted the position, however, Tateishi said he told Lungren he wouldn't be able to start until Feb. 1, time enough for Tateishi to terminate his consulting contracts and close out any outstanding issues or projects.

"The tribe was very understanding of my decision," he said.

Some of the controversy over Tateishi returning to Lungren's office stems from differing accounts of what happened when he originally left. NCIP member Walt Dimmers is adamant Tateishi told him he was accepting a position with the lieutenant governor of Hawaii. Malick doesn't remember hearing those specific details, but does recall mention of some type of government position. At that time, Tateishi told the Ledger Dispatch he was pursuing consulting opportunities to be able to spend more time with his now-wife, who was stationed in Hawaii with the military. The release from Lungren's office simply says that "Tateishi rejoins Congressman Lungren's staff after taking time off to spend with his wife who is serving in the Armed Services," making no mention of his brief consulting career. That may be a function of the release being drafted out of Washington, but it was enough to irk NCIP members.

"We just don't understand the lack of being forthcoming," Malick said of the release. "If you're telling the truth, why not just tell all of it and why don't the stories match?"

In the end, the anti-casino group's concerns about Tateishi may mask a more common complaint about politicians, money and access. Last April, Lungren received a $2,300 donation for his re-election campaign from Elk Grove Unified School District educator Matthew Franklin. Franklin is also the chairman of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians.

It's a "loaded" subject, Malick acknowledged.

"I tend to be rather unforgiving" when it comes to political contributions, she said. "I think accepting money from the tribe does compromise you - and that is what the goal is in providing the donation."

If nothing else, it's an issue of perception, Malick added. "The average Joe can't get their voice heard, their opinion heard, because we're out here working like swarms of ants to keep the machine going."