Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe asked for public casino talks

Thursday, April 22, 2010  

Leaders in the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts, won't meet in private with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to discuss a casino.

The tribe asked for a private meeting after attorneys for both sides met yesterday. But the board of selectmen voted against the idea.

"They can make their case out in the open," said Selectman Stephen J. McKinnon, The Brockton Enterprise reported.

The tribe signed an agreement to build a $1 billion casino in the town. But the tribe has changed gaming partners and its land-into-trust application faces questions under the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Carcieri v. Salazar.

The ruling restricts the land-into-trust process to tribes that were "under federal jurisdiction" in 1934. The Mashpees didn't gain formal recognition until May 2007.

Get the Story:
Private casino talks with Mashpee Wampanoag rejected (The Cape Cod Times 4/22)
Middleboro selectmen agree to seek public meeting with tribe (The Brockton Enterprise 4/22)

Related Stories:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to discuss casino with town (4/21)