Madera City Council Member Gary Svanda's actions involving the proposed tribal casino in Madera County shows why complete public disclosure is needed when elected officials are representing private interests.

He testified before Congress last year on the need for the casino, and said he was representing Madera city and county. But that wasn't true.

Svanda's trip was paid for by the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians, which wants to build the controversial casino. Svanda now says he went to Washington, D.C., as a private businessman, even though that's not what he said in his testimony.

Svanda said it wasn't improper for the tribe to pay for the trip. He hasn't disclosed the cost of the trip, and tribal leaders are calling questions about the arrangement "petty."

They are far from petty. Svanda misrepresented his appearance before Congress and did not report the value of the trip as required by state law. Svanda owes the public a full explanation of the financial arrangements involving the trip.

The Las Vegas-style casino is controversial for several reasons, including not being on tribal land. It's proposed for Highway 99 and Avenue 17.

The North Fork Rancheria is partnering with Station Casinos of Las Vegas, which has filed for bankruptcy. But tribal leaders are pushing ahead with the proposal despite the financial problems of their Las Vegas partner.

Svanda says he did nothing wrong, and that his testimony was only following up on testimony by Madera County Supervisor Frank Bigelow. There's a big difference.

The Madera County board is on record supporting the casino and the county paid for Bigelow's trip. The city of Madera has not taken a position of the casino, and the council did not authorize Svanda's appearance before Congress.

Elaine Bethel-Fink, the tribe's chairwoman, gave an indication of who Svanda was representing: "My thinking is that anyone on my team should have (their travel costs) paid for to promote our projects."

She did not elaborate on what she meant by suggesting Svanda was on her team, but it seems obvious to us.

It's time for Svanda to explain his exact involvement in the casino deal.