Minnesota sues payday lender linked to Cheyenne River man

Friday, July 12, 2013  

The state of Minnesota filed suit against a California payday loan business that's linked to a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

The state accuses CashCall and its subsidiaries of hiding behind Western Sky Financial, which is owned by tribal member Martin Webb.

"Defendants' use of Western Sky as a front is designed to mislead borrowers and regulators about the loans and is an illegitimate attempt to circumvent state law," the complaint reads.

Western Sky isn't named in the complaint but the state says Webb can't claim sovereign immunity because his business is not owned by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Get the Story:
State sues California-based Internet lender, says it uses tribe as a front for high-rate loans (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 7/12)
Minnesota sues online, fast-cash lender (MinnPost 7/11)

Relevant Documents:
Complaint: Minnesota v. CashCall (July 11, 2013)