FROM THE ARCHIVE

Mohawks divided over casino

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APRIL 26, 2000

The St. Regis Mohawk tribal council is under fire for changing its casino plans. The tribe recently partnered up with Park Place Entertainment, the world's biggest gambling company to build a casino in the New York Catskills. As part of the deal, Park Place paid the tribe $3 million.

Tribal members criticized the new deal, saying the deal was secret and unapproved by the community. The BIA said the new deal could undo the three years of review if the new partners choose a different site that had been previously approved.

A $12 billion class-action lawsuit against Park Place Entertainment was filed in tribal court today on behalf of tribal members opposing the deal. They say the gaming company "fraudulently induced" the Mohawk Tribal Council into partnering with them. The suit seeks damages from the company, its CEO, and its chief counsel.

Get the Story:
Mohawks divided by new casino deal (The Albany Times-Union 4/26)
Casino deal may be good for future, causes rift in the present (AP 4/26)