The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians filed suit against the state of Louisiana on Wednesday, accusing politicians of conspiring with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff to block a proposed casino.

The lawsuit cites freshman Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana), who began fighting the tribe when he was serving in the U.S. House. The Jena Band says he worked with Abramoff and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, a gaming tribe, to block the tribe's gaming compact and its land-into-trust applications.

Vitter denies knowing Abramoff or working on behalf of gaming interests. But his staff did work with Abramoff's firm to insert language in an appropriations bill criticizing the Jena Band's "reservation shopping" efforts.

The tribe wants to be compensated for losing out on the casino. The lawsuit was filed in state court.

Get the Story:
Choctaw band sues governor in LaSalle (The Baton Rouge Advocate 6/2)

Relevant Links:
Jena Band of Choctaw Indians - http://www.jenachoctaw.org

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