Tohono O'odham Nation traces casino spat to top state leaders

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Artist's rendering of the West Valley Resort under construction in Arizona. Image from Facebook

>
The Tohono O'odham Nation is accusing Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) and Attorney General Mark Brnovich (R) of interfering with the tribe's controversial casino.

The tribe won a series of court decisions favoring the legality of the West Valley Resort that's under construction in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix. But the Department of Gaming is refusing to certify the facility after initially indicating it didn't have any concerns.

A lawsuit in federal court blames Ducey and Brnovich, who used to lead the department, for the change in course. The tribe says the two officials forced the agency to take a different stance despite all of the legal victories.

Arizona Casino Wars: Tribes battle over new gaming facility in the Phoenix area

>
"The nation seeks to prevent these officials from interfering (as they already have done) with Arizona Department of Gaming’s issuance of those approvals," the tribe said in response to Ducey's and Brnovich's motion to remove themselves from the case, Capitol Media Services reported.

The tribe had hoped to open an initial structure by the end of the year but the lawsuit claims the state's refusal is hurting its relationships with construction companies and other vendors. A hearing will take place next month, Capitol Media Services reported.