A view of the Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, Michigan. Photo from Facebook
A non-Indian man who lives three miles from a tribal casino in Michigan will appeal the dismissal of his lawsuit, The Grand Rapid Business Journal reports. David Patchak claims the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, cannot follow the land-into-trust process. Congress, however, passed the S.1603, the Gun Lake Trust Land Reaffirmation Act, in September 2014 to confirm the legality of the Gun Lake Casino. In dimisssing the case, Judge Richard J. Leon upheld the constitutionality of the new law. Patchak's attorney will be taking the June 17 decision to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals for the second time since 2008. "I will be representing him," attorney Sharon Eubanks told the Journal. At least three different law firms have handled the case since 2008, the Journal reported. Now it will become four because Eubanks has left Edwards Kirby, a firm started by former presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards (D-North Carolina). The Gun Lake Casino opened in February 2011. The facility has put 800 people to work and has brought more than $80 million in revenues to the local community. Patchak has said he wants a monetary settlement from the tribe. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Patchak v. Jewell. Get the Story:
Gun Lake Casino wins in federal court (The Grand Rapid Business Journal 7/3) District Court Decision:
Patchak v. Jewell (June 17, 2015)
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