A non-Indian couple in California is trying to get the state courts to hear a lawsuit against the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

Gloria and Robert Chisley stayed at the Barona Resort & Casino in August 2005. They say they were attacked by bedbugs and haven't been able to recover.

"I don't feel I'll ever be over this," Gloria told The Los Angeles Times. "I'm afraid of every bug I see, I don't care how big. I'm not the same person I was."

The tribe disputes whether the Chisleys were attacked by bedbugs and doctors have disagreed on the issue. But the Chisleys say the deck is stacked against them in tribal court and are asking the 4th District Court of Appeal to move the case to the state court system.

The tribal-state compact gives tribes three options if claims are brought against them. They can choose arbitration, state courts or tribal courts. The Barona Band chose tribal court.

Get the Story:
Bedbug case against Barona tribe crawls on (The Los Angeles Times 6/8)
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