A group called the Michigan Gambling Opposition plans to seek a stay of a federal appeals court decision that allows the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of
Pottawatomi Indians to open a casino.
MichGO filed a lawsuit to stop the Bureau of
Indian Affairs from acquiring 147 acres in trust for the tribe.
But the D.C.
Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the group's claims in a 2-1 decision yesterday.
MichGO now plans to ask the D.C. Circuit for a stay while it pursues an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. A similar, but not entirely related, land-into-trust case is already pending before the high court.
The tribe doesn't think the legal maneuvering will succeed. As soon as the land is placed in trust, work on the casino will begin, a spokesperson said.
Get the Story:Tribe claims win, but Gun Lake casino not set yet (The Grand Rapids Press 4/30)
Appeals court upholds decision on Michigan tribal casino (AP 4/30)
Wayland casino would have 'positive impact' on region (WOOD 4/29)
Court clears way for Gun Lake tribe to build Allegan County casino (The Muskegon Chronicle 4/29)