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MAY 24, 2001

A federal judge in Connecticut on Wednesday agreed to delay by 30 days a land-into-trust lawsuit affecting the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation so that the Department of Justice can monitor settlement talks between the tribe and three neighboring towns.

The tribe and the towns have met once to discuss disputes over land the tribe wants to add to its southeastern Connecticut reservation. The towns opposed any land-into-trust transfers and sued the Department of Interior of 165 acres it approved in 1995.

The towns lost their lawsuit in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. But US District Judge Robert N. Chatigny still has to consider if former Secretary Bruce Babbitt abused his discretion by agreeing to the land transfer.

The towns also have other legal issues they want considered.

Get the Story:
Justice Dept. to monitor land dispute (The New London Day 5/24)

Get the Case:
Connecticut v. Babbitt No. 99-6042. (2nd Circuit Court of Appeals September 25, 2000)

Only on Indianz.Com:
The Supreme Court and Indian Law: 2000-2001 (3/6)

Related Stories:
Pequot paper runs special edition (5/23)
Pequot Tribe proposes June meeting (5/16)
Anti-Pequot towns have hope in case (5/8)
EDITORIAL: Tribe, towns continue talking (5/4)
Towns: Pequot Tribe too rich (5/3)
EDITORIAL: Pequot tribe too affluent (5/2)
Supreme Court turns down Pequot land case (5/1)