The general manager of Spotlight 29 Casino and his administrative assistant were dismissed this week.

Raymond DelFiandra, who was general manager, was told Monday that his services were no longer required. His administrative assistant, Amy Redford, was let go as well.

Paul Speirs, a spokesman for the Twentynine Palms Band of Mission Indians, which owns and operates Spotlight 29 Casino, said the tribe's former chairman, Dean Mike, will serve as interim general manager for the casino until a replacement is found.

Tribal members did not return calls to comment.

‘We like it here'

DelFiandra, who worked for the tribe about five years and was reached by phone mid-week, said he has not taken employment elsewhere. His wife, Diane, remains employed at Spotlight 29 as an entertainment booking coordinator.

“We like it here,'' DelFiandra said. “So we'll see how things go. I have no plans right now.”

Asked if his dismissal was related to casino performance in a struggling economy, Speirs said, “Every casino in America was down with the exception of one city in Iowa.

“The fact of the matter is to say Spotlight revenues were down is like saying, ‘Hey kids, the car industry is hurting.'”

“Everyone's business is down,'' DelFiandra said earlier this week. “I'm sure it's all part of it: They wanted to restructure some things, so they did.”

Steve Gralla, the tribe's chief financial officer, did not return a call for comment.

Altered plans

Two years ago, the small tribe broke ground for its second wave of expansion, a $100 million hotel, spa and parking garage next to Spotlight 29 Casino. Months later, the tribe revealed plans to build a $25 million Nüwü Casino Resort & RV Park in Twentynine Palms.

As the economy soured, the expansion was rolled back but the tribe has continued to book popular entertainers and assertively market the casino.

Within the past month, a La Quinta retiree won more than $1 million playing a “Wizard of Oz” penny slot machine — a feat that set a record for winnings at the casino.

Weeks ago, gaming industry marketer Jill Philbrook joined Spotlight 29 Casino as director of marketing. The Chicago native has lived in the desert for 16 years and is a former director of marketing for Spa Resort Casino and San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino.