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Narragansett Tribe denies deal on smoke shop
Thursday, May 26, 2005

The Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island has not reached any sort of agreement regarding its shuttered smoke shop, a lawyer said.

The tribe plans to reopen the smoke shop as soon as the state exhausts its legal appeals, attorney Jack Killoy said. He denied suggestions by a local town lawyer that the tribe has agreed to stay closed for "a long period of time."

The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the tribe has a right to sell tax-free tobacco products to Indian consumers but not to non-Indians. The state, however, is taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court and argues that the tribe can't sell tobacco period without collecting state taxes.

The 1st Circuit also suggested that the tribe and the state negotiate a compact.

Get the Story:
TRIBE: NO DEAL IN PLACE FOR SHOP (The Westerly Sun 5/25)

Court Ruling:
Narragansett Tribe v. Rhode Island (May 12, 2005)

More on the Raid:
Video | Text: Gov. Carcieri's July 14 Press Conference | Text: Gov. Carcieri's July 15 Statement | Text: Excerpts of Narragansett Chief Sachem July 14 Press Conference

Relevant Laws:
Rhode Island Indian Claims Settlement Act (US Code)

Relevant Links:
Narragansett Tribe - http://www.narragansett-tribe.org
Smoke Shop Showdown - http://www.projo.com/extra/2003/smokeshop

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