"Ledyard has rightfully dug in its heels in a dispute with the Mashantucket Pequots over the issue of taxes levied on slot machines leased to the tribe's Foxwoods Resort Casino by a New Jersey enterprise.

Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Co. is one of four vendors that lease Foxwoods a handful of its 7,200 slot machines. The company believes its property is exempt from taxation because it is leased to a sovereign nation, which is afforded property-tax immunity on its reservation.

The tax bill in question is $10,759. The tribe and the slot-machine company filed suit in federal court this summer, seeking tax immunity.

The Mashantucket Pequots have every right to defend their sovereignty. But in this case, they're arguing for tax-exempt status for property that doesn't belong to them. The town has to pick and choose its fight, and this one is worth battling."

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Tax Issue Worth The Fight (The New London Day 10/6)
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