A federal judge has dismissed the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe's tobacco lawsuit against the state of Oklahoma.

The tribe says the state forced its tobacco manufacturing corporation to pay $10 million into an escrow account. The state established the account as part of a billion-dollar settlement with big tobacco companies.

Small tobacco manufacturers, like the Seneca-Cayugas, who didn't participate in the settlement are required to pay into the account to cover potential liabilities [Oklahoma attorney general Tobacco Information]. But the tribe says its sovereign immunity protects the corporation from the payments.

The tribe says the escrow payments have hurt its tobacco business. Since the suit was filed, 9 employees have been laid off, an attorney said.

Get the Story:
Judge tosses Seneca-Cayuga tobacco suit (The Tulsa World 12/1)

Relevant Links:
Seneca-Cayuga Tribe - http://www.sctribe.com
Seneca-Cayuga Tobacco Company - http://www.senecacayugatobacco.com

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