Tohono O'odham Nation wins legal fees in gaming lawsuit

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The city of Glendale, Arizona, lost another round to the Tohono O'odham Nation in a lawsuit over an off-reservation casino.

In May, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that the city can't annex land owned by the tribe. The city asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review the case but the request was denied yesterday.

Additionally, the Supreme Court ordered the city to pay the tribe's legal fees. The city itself has already spent more than $1 million on litigation in state and federal court.

"After 33 months of debate and multiple court and federal agency decisions in favor of the Nation, it is time for Glendale leaders to come to the table and allow us to resolve our differences so that we can move forward together to create opportunity for the West Valley," Chairman Ned Norris Jr. said in a statement, The Arizona Republic reported.

The tribe has a land-into-trust application pending with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A federal judge ruled that the land can be placed in trust but the case has been taken to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Get the Story:
Appeal denied in Glendale casino case (The Arizona Republic 10/26)

Arizona Court of Appeals Decision:
Tohono O'odham Nation v. Glendale (May 3, 2011)