Former employees of the United Auburn Indian Community's casino cannot sue the tribe due to sovereign immunity, a California county commissioner said in a tentative ruling.

The employees, all female, sued the tribe and Station Casinos, the tribe's partner, for harassment and discrimination. They say a former male employee physically harassed them. One woman said she was sexually assaulted.

Placer County Superior Court Commissioner Margaret Wells said the tribe can't be sued because it hasn't waived immunity. But she said the case could proceed against Station Casinos.

The casino company wants Wells to be replaced with a judge.

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New wrinkles in casino lawsuit (The Auburn Journal 6/21)