Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Law
Appeals court won't rehear Meskwaki election case


The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition to rehear a lawsuit challenging the recognition of Homer Bear Jr. as the leader of the Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa.

Bear was elected following an internal leadership dispute that had shuttered the tribe's casino. The Bureau of Indian Affairs later recognized Bear as the legitimate leader.

A group of Meskwakis sued the BIA but the 8th Circuit ruled this past March that it couldn't get involved in an internal tribal matter even though former acting assistant secretary Aurene Martin recognized Bear and his allies as the legitimate tribal leaders without hearing from the other side.

Bear spent $1.2M to on Greenberg Traurig, Jack Abramoff's old lobbying firm. Records show Abramoff didn't represent the tribe but his associates did.

Get the Story:
Appeals court denies rehearing in Meskwaki tribe dispute (AP 5/26)

Court Decision:
Meskwaki Election Board v. BIA (March 3, 2006)

Related Stories:
Meskwaki Tribe election appeal dismissed by court (03/06)
Meskwaki Tribe ordered to reconsider critic's case (02/27)
Meskwaki members fear disenrollment from tribe (01/27)
Meskwaki faction paid $1.2M to Abramoff's firm (01/16)
Meskwaki Tribe working with ex-Abramoff associate (09/07)
Meskwakis gave $50K to group founded by Norton (04/22)
Tribe gave $75K to group founded by Norton (03/14)
DOI investigates contacts with group started by Norton (03/03)
Lawsuit over Meskwaki Tribe's leadership dismissed (03/03)
Vitter denies helping Abramoff's former client (03/02)
Report: Former Norton organization subpoenaed (3/1)
Tribes gave $175K to group founded by Norton (2/28)
Lawsuit over Meskwaki Tribe's leadership dismissed (03/03)
Meskwaki Tribe starts court to resolve internal disputes (09/06)
Rival factions of Meskwaki Tribe still feuding (01/22)
BIA reaffirms result of Meskwaki Tribe's election (12/19)
Meskwaki Tribe confirms delay in casino re-opening (11/20)
Bank wants court to rule on Meskwaki Tribe's funds (11/17)
Meskwaki voters replace four who were recalled (11/06)
Ousted Meskwaki leader claims election is illegal (10/28)
BIA to recognize results of Meskwaki election (10/22)
Another vote set for Meskwaki Tribe leadership (10/21)
Bear faction takes most votes in Meskwaki primary (10/16)
BIA will look at two Meskwaki Tribe elections (10/15)
Location of Meskwaki Tribe primary in dispute (10/13)
Meskwaki members nominate nine for recall (10/08)
Meskwaki factions still far apart on leadership (10/3)
Confusion reigns as Meskwaki takeover fails (10/2)
Elected Meskwaki council tries to retake casino (10/1)
Meskwakis using federal funds to pay attorneys (9/16)
Meskwaki casino shutdown extended by NIGC (9/12)
Appeals court sides with NIGC on casino shutdown (08/28)
Iowa county says it will evict Meskwaki rivals (08/18)
DOI judge says Meskwaki casino should reopen (08/13)
BIA calls on Meskwaki Tribe to hold recall election (08/06)
Meskwaki factions ask court to reopen casino (07/25)
Meskwaki factions and NIGC head to court on casino (7/24)
Appeals court holding hearing on Meskwaki casino (07/09)
Meskwaki dispute centers on recall petitions (7/7)
Meskwaki faction agrees to create election board (7/3)
Meskwaki faction votes to oust law firm (6/27)
Meskwaki faction says BIA agreed to election (6/23)
DOI meeting with Meskwaki Tribe canceled (6/20)
DOI to discuss Meskwaki leadership dispute (6/19)
Editorial: Don't interfere in tribal affairs (6/19)
Meskwaki faction wants to fire rival law firm (6/10)
8th Circuit court won't reopen Meswaki casino (05/30)
8th Circuit reviewing Meskwaki casino shutdown (5/28)
BIA won't recognize Meskwaki Tribe election (5/27)
Federal marshals close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (5/23)
Meskwaki voters asked to choose new leaders (5/22)
Meskwaki voters urged to vote for new council (5/21)
NIGC asks court to close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (5/20)
Judge calls for receivership for Meskwaki funds (5/19)
Meskwaki casino stays open during leadership spat (5/15)
NIGC orders Meskwaki Tribe to close casino (5/14)
State threatens Meskwaki compact over dispute (5/9)
Meskwaki factions can't agree on discussions (5/8)
Talks between Meskwaki leaders break down (5/6)
Meskwaki Tribe works to resolve dispute (5/5)
NIGC says Meskwaki Tribe in violation of IGRA (5/1)
Meskwaki leadership dispute continues (4/30)
Editorial: NIGC should interfere in tribal dispute (04/24)
NIGC threatens to close Meskwaki Tribe's casino (4/23)
Meskwaki leadership dispute won't affect payroll (4/18)
Federal judge won't intervene in Meskwaki dispute (4/16)
Meskwaki Tribe undergoing leadership struggle (4/10)
Meskwaki tribal council removed and replaced (03/27)