The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a casino contract dispute affecting the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska.

The tribe entered into 11 contracts with StoreVisions, a non-Indian company, to perform work on a casino, racetrack and other facilities. The tribe's chairman and vice chairman reportedly signed a waiver of sovereign immunity as part of the arrangement.

When the deal went sour, StoreVisions filed suit in state court, alleging violations of the contracts. The tribe claimed it couldn't be sued, arguing that the waiver signed by the chairman and vice chairman was invalid because it wasn't approved by the entire council.

The Nebraska Supreme Court disagreed and said the waiver was valid because a majority of the tribal council was present when it was signed. The tribe's constitution is silent on the issue so the court said the company should be able to rely on the actions of the chairman and vice chairman.

The tribe filed a petition with the high court to review the case but the justices declined without comment in an order yesterday.

Nebraska Supreme Court Decision:
StoreVisions v. Omaha Tribe (March 25, 2011)
Supplemental (July 22, 2011)

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