California tribes find it hard to challenge compact

Wednesday, June 7, 2006  

Four California tribes who have challenged the Class III gaming compact with the state probably won't ever see their day in court.

The tribes filed lawsuits in federal court to challenge provisions of the agreement signed in 1999. But the state is invoking a rule that would basically require every other tribe to be part of the case -- an impossible prospect since tribes have sovereign immunity.

A judge already dismissed one compact lawsuit based on the rule. The state says it doesn't invoke the rule in ever single case.

Get the Story:
Tribal attorneys say rule paves the way for state to dismiss gaming-pact cases (The San Diego Union-Tribune 6/7)