Judge dismisses Mashpee Wampanoag lawsuit

Friday, June 29, 2007  

A judge in Massachusetts dismissed a lawsuit against the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, citing sovereign immunity.

Amelia Bingham and three other tribal members sued the tribe in hopes of learning more about its finances. As it was pursuing federal recognition, the tribe received $8 million from a financial backer.

But now that the tribe has sovereign status, Judge Richard Connon said it can't be sued without a voluntary waiver of immunity. The suit named the tribe's corporation, which is registered under state law.

Bingham, a tribal elder who helped launch the federal recognition bid, said she will take her case to federal court.

Get the Story:
Judge throws out lawsuit against tribe (The Cape Cod Times 6/29)

Relevant Documents:
DOI Final Determination | Summary of Acknowledgment Cases | R. Lee Fleming Declaration

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe - http://mashpeewampanoagtribe.com

Related Stories:
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe celebrates recognition (05/25)
Opinion: Who controls Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe? (5/24)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe faces casino questions (5/24)
Editorial: Mashpee Wampanoag casino promises (5/24)
A true day of Thanksgiving for Mashpees (5/23)
City welcomes Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (5/22)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe still eyeing casino sites (5/18)
Mashpee Wampanoag casino leads to recall bid (5/17)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's casino faces vote (5/15)
Community debates Mashpee Wampanoag casino (5/14)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe still eyeing casino sites (5/10)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe stirs gaming talk (5/4)
Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe options more land (5/3)
Mashpee woman presses tribe to open books (03/21)
Opinion: Mashpee Wampanoag fought for recognition (3/5)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe gets say on wind farm (3/1)
Commentary: Wampanoags helped Pilgrims survive (2/23)
Wampanoags warn relatives about casino push (2/23)
Federal Register: Mashpee recognition decision (2/22)
Mashpee Wampanoag recognition cost $8M (2/19)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe finally wins recognition (2/16)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe wins federal recognition (2/15)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe ready to go for gaming (2/15)
Wampanoag recognition decision comes early (2/14)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe shuns critics for 7 years (2/8)
Editorial: Mashpee Tribe neglects treasures (1/31)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe sued over finances (12/19)
Pombo denies being lobbied in Mashpee recognition (10/30)
State asks BIA about failed Mashpee land claim (10/12)
Town backs Mashpee Tribe's recognition bid (10/2)
Town to consider Mashpee Tribe's recognition (9/29)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe reports progress (08/25)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe seeks affordable housing (08/09)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe discusses recognition (07/27)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to meet over recognition (07/14)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe focuses on housing (7/6)
Response: Mashpees earned federal recognition (06/16)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to discuss recognition (6/14)
Opinion: Mashpee Wampanoags paid for recognition (06/08)
Mashpee Wampanoags see support for recognition (05/08)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe looks forward to future (04/06)
Lobbyists garner mention in recognition decision (4/4)
Mashpee Tribe avoids pitfalls on federal recognition (4/3)
Tribe anticipates big decision on recognition (3/31)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe awaits recognition (3/23)
Mashpee recongnition decision due this month (03/07)
Mashpee Wampanoag lobbying paid off in Washington (2/22)
Mashpee Wampanoag elders pass before recognition (2/20)
Mashpee Wampanoags await word on federal status (01/13)
Massachusetts tribe says scandal won't hurt case (01/05)
Mashpees call for tribe to cut ties to lobbyists (12/21)
Opinion: Mashpees disturbed by tribal lobbying (12/07)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe active in Washington (12/1)
Mashpee chair gave Abramoff e-mails to FBI (11/29)
Mashpee chairman happy with Abramoff work (11/22)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe tight on membership (10/11)
BIA assigns team to Mashpee Wampanoag petition (10/3)
Massachusetts tribe, town weigh recognition deal (09/16)
Massachusetts tribe won't make land claims (08/22)
Massachusetts tribe waits for answer on recognition (08/05)
Wampanoag teen joins tribe's Run for Recognition (07/28)
Massachusetts tribe waits for ruling on recognition (7/27)
Judge approves timeline for Mashpee recognition (7/26)
BIA proposes timeline for Mashpee recognition (7/19)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe steers clear of Abramoff (05/23)
Judge blasts BIA for delays in recognition case (02/15)
Wampanoag tribe back to court on recognition bid (2/14)
BIA opposes Pombo's federal recognition bill (2/11)
Bill addresses slow-moving recognition process (02/07)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe presses recognition bid (09/03)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe rubs elbows at RNC (9/1)
House panel sympathetic to tribes on recognition (04/01)
Federal recognition process subject of two hearings (03/31)
BIA delaying decision on Mass. tribe (12/20)
Mass. town accused of hindering recognition (10/30)
Jump in recognition petitions noted (06/12)
BIA recognition staff fails pressure test (05/31)
Wampanoag leader remembered (03/08)