Lawsuit over state liquor laws at Mohegan Tribe's casino settled

Tuesday, January 11, 2011  

The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut has settled a lawsuit that tested the application of state liquor laws on the reservation.

Emily Vanstaen-Holland and her mother, Susan Holland, sued the tribe after Emily was struck by a man who had been drinking at Mohegan Sun. Emily, who was 15 at the time of the October 2007 accident, says the tribe should have stopped Glenn Lavigne, a former tribal council member, from becoming intoxicated.

The Hollands argued that the state's dram shop laws applied to the tribe. The Connecticut Supreme Court was due to hear the case today before it was settled for undisclosed terms.

The Hollands continue to pursue a lawsuit in state court against Lavigne, who pleaded guilty in connection with the accident.

Get the Story:
Drunken-driving case is settled by accident victim, Mohegan tribe (The New London Day 1/11)
Tribal Sovereignty In Question In Alcohol-Related Lawsuit (The Connecticut Law Tribune 1/10)