Casino Stalker | Litigation

Oklahoma attorney general files suit to stop Kialegee casino

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt filed a lawsuit in federal court in hopes of stopping the Kialegee Tribal Town from building a casino.

The complaint names King Tiger Hobia, tribal council members, a development group and the tribe itself as defendants. It accuses them of violating federal law by trying to open the Red Clay Casino on an Indian allotment.

The lawsuit claims the gaming site hasn't been determined to be "Indian lands" as that term is defined by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Pruit also says the tribe will be in violation of its Class III gaming compact.

“No one, tribal or otherwise, is above state or federal laws,” Pruitt said in a press release. “The Kialegees do not have the authority to pick and choose which steps to follow in the federal or state approval process of establishing casinos. The complaint filed today is to protect the interests of Oklahoma and its citizens, and ensure the rule of law is being followed.”

The Kialegee Tribal Town is leasing the allotment from two members of the Muscogee Nation. The Kialegees have to obtain approval form the Muscogee Nation in order to operate the casino, according to the Muscogee chief.

The lawsuit was filed in the federal court for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Pruitt hired Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris and Sisk, a New Mexico law firm, to handle the case.

Documents for the lawsuit can be found at tulsaworld.com/kialegee.