Fresno County Supervisor Bob Waterston leaves office in five months. Could his next job be working for Table Mountain Rancheria -- one of his long-time political supporters?

Waterston said it's just a rumor that he is set to become Table Mountain's new director of safety, overseeing the police department and helping the tribe create its own fire department.

Table Mountain's chief legal counsel Dan Casas said he's heard the same rumor, but it's not true.

"We don't intend to offer Bob Waterston any new position," Casas said. "It's a rumor, that's all it is."

Casas speculated that the rumor may have been sparked by retired Fresno County sheriff's detective John Souza, who up until last week served as the rancheria's police chief. Casas said Souza seemed bitter about being asked to step down.

Although Souza said he wasn't happy about being dismissed, he denies starting the rumor. But he did recall Casas bringing Waterston over to his table at a restaurant last month and saying Waterston was going to be his boss as the new director of safety.

"I can't sit here and say that I was involved in any negotiations or was privy to any information between Dan and Bob, but I know that's what he said," Souza said.

Casas said he doesn't recall making that comment. At best, Casas said, it would have been a joke. Waterston also said that he didn't remember Casas saying that.

Waterston has had a close relationship with the tribe for years. They've contributed thousands of dollars to his political campaigns. And in 2004, Waterston opposed a competing tribe's casino plans around the time he bought a luxury vehicle at an apparent discount from the vice-chairman of Table Mountain Rancheria's tribal council.

For now, Waterston said he plans to focus on his pool business when he leaves office in January. But he admits business is slow right now and said he is always looking at other opportunities.

"I'm keeping my options open," he said. "But nobody has approached me about doing something for Table Mountain."