A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Choctaw man seeking to recoup at least $870,000 from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

Wayne Queen, 78, loaned the tribe $500,000 to start the "Crystal Mountain Casino." He was to receive 3.5 percent of revenue for five years but the casino never really got off the ground and was closed.

Queen claims he was then promised 12 percent interest until a new facility could be opened. The tribe is indeed planning another casino -- but under a different name. So Queen isn't owned any money, the tribe argued.

Queen took his case to state court but the tribe successfully got it transferred to federal court. On Monday, a federal judge threw out the case, citing the tribe's sovereign immunity.

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Judge scolds tribe over legal tactics (The Sacramento Bee 9/13)