Vincent Armenta

A judge in California dismissed a lawsuit that was filed against the leader of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.

A group called Save the Valley sued Chairman Vincent Armenta over the tribe's purchase of a 1,400-acre site. The judge, however, said Armenta enjoys sovereign immunity.

“I can’t count on two hands the number of lawsuits that have been filed against me and the tribe by the county and individuals over the last 10 years,” Armenta told The Santa Maria Sun. “When’s enough enough?”

Opponents were hoping the lawsuit could prevent the tribe from using the land for housing and other purposes. The land was acquired under certain restrictions that are enforced under state law.

But those restrictions won't matter if the Bureau of Indian Affairs places the site in trust. The agency has issued a finding of no significant impact but hasn't made a final decision on the tribe's application.

Get the Story:
Judge dismisses lawsuit against Chumash tribal leaders (The Santa Maria Sun 11/13)

An Opinion:
Canary:A horse of a different color (The Santa Maria Sun 11/13)

Related Stories:
County to dispute Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust application (11/6)
Chumash Tribe praises BIA movement on land-into-trust bid (10/22)
IBIA dismisses challenge to Chumash Tribe land-into-trust bid (06/09)
Column: Chumash Tribe land-into-trust bill stirs up opposition (05/12)
Rep. Capps opposes Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust measure (03/14)
Opinion: Chumash Tribe too wealthy to follow land-into-trust (02/03)
IBIA dismisses challenges to Chumash Tribe land consolidation (11/05)
Opinion: Far-away lawmaker introduces bill for Chumash Tribe (10/31)
Bill introduced to place 1,400 acres in trust for Chumash Tribe (10/29)
Vincent Armenta: Chumash Tribe strives to be good neighbor (10/24)