Indianz.Com > Indian Gaming

State lawmaker wants to enter Tohono O'odham casino lawsuit

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

An Arizona state lawmaker wants to intervene in a lawsuit against the Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino.

Sen. Russell Pearce (R) says his interests aren't represented by other parties to the litigation. But the federal government and the tribe say he doesn't have a right to intervene.

“Even if Sen. Pearce is authorized to speak on behalf of the state of Arizona or its legislature, which he most assuredly is not, actions by Arizona's legislature are not the subject of the present litigation,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristofor Swanson said in a court filing, The Yuma Sun reported.

The city of Glendale filed the lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Affairs for approving the tribe's land-into-trust application. The BIA has not determined whether the land is eligible for gaming.

Get the Story:
Pearce tries to intervene in gaming legislation (The Yuma Sun 10/20)

Relevant Documents:
Federal Register Notice: Land Acquisitions; Tohono O'odham Nation, Arizona (August 26, 2010)
Larry Echo Hawk Letter to Tohono O'odham Nation (July 23, 2010)

Related Stories:
Mayor says Tohono O'odham Nation casino will hurt community (10/8)
Tohono O'odham Nation seeks IGRA exception in bid for casino (10/4)
City wants consent over Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (9/30)
Editorial: Tribes, off-reservation casinos and urban communities (9/27)
City files lawsuit to stop Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (9/22)
Gila River Indian Community sues to stop Tohono O'odham casino (9/17)
City prepares lawsuit for Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino (9/9)
Editorial: The good and bad in proposed Tohono O'odham casino (8/23)
City plans suit on Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino (8/9)
Editorial: Tohono O'odham Nation mocks voters with bid for casino (8/2)
BIA will acquire off-reservation parcel for Tohono O'odham Nation (7/26)
Hearing scheduled in Tohono O'odham Nation casino lawsuit (5/19)
Gila River Tribe asks to join Tohono O'odham casino lawsuit (5/17)
Bill targeting Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino dead (5/12)
Bill that targets Tohono O'odham Nation casino advances (4/13)
Bill against Tohono O'odham Nation casino back on agenda (4/8)
Poll backs Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino (4/2)
Gila River Tribe slams Tohono O'odham off-reservation bid (4/1)
Tohono O'odham Nation hails end to anti-casino measure (3/30)
Lawmaker halts bill that targeted Tohono O'odham casino (3/29)
Editorial: Casino foes seek to steal Tohono O'odham land (3/24)
Tohono O'odham Nation sues over off-reservation casino (3/23)
Tohono O'odham Nation slams bill targeting casino bid (3/18)
Vote planned on bill targeting Tohono O'odham casino (3/16)
Tohono O'odham Nation loses ruling in gaming site case (3/12)
NCAI joins Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino fight (3/9)
Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bid still at BIA (3/8)
Bill affects Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bid (2/26)
Bill targets Tohono O'odham off-reservation casino bid (2/3)
Tohono O'odham Nation 'more committed' to casino (1/28)
Sen. Kyl voices opposition to Tohono O'odham casino (1/27)
McCain joins opposition to off-reservation casino bid (1/21)
Tohono O'odham Nation won't drop off-reservation bid (1/20)