Facebook Twitter Email
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2003

A public school district in New Mexico is challenging a $4 million sexual abuse settlement made in Zuni tribal court.

The guardians of a student sued the district and former teacher Mahkee Wells Jr. in tribal court for alleged harassment. The tribal judge asserted jurisdiction because the school is located on the reservation.

The school district, citing sovereign immunity through the state, contends otherwise. It has asked a federal judge to throw out a settlement agreed to by Wells and to dismiss the case.

Get the Story:
Feds to decide in Zuni, state $4M harassment suit (New Mexico Business Weekly Week of 6/2)

Related Stories:
Supreme Court won't hear tribal jurisdiction case (6/3)
Tribal court jurisdiction at issue (5/29)
Supreme Court rebuffs tribe in immunity case (5/20)
It could have been a lot worse for Indian Country (5/20)
Appeals court won't recognize tribal authority (10/15)
Tribes rally in support of sovereignty (10/8)
Tribes seek to overturn Supreme Court (2/27)
Inouye challenges tribes on sovereignty (2/26)
Tribe wants jurisdiction over clinic (01/15)
Supreme Court bars state officials from tribal suit (6/26)
O'Connor defends tribes amidst squabbling (6/26)