Poarch Band faces two lawsuits amid $246M casino expansion

Thursday, February 21, 2013  

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians is facing two lawsuits as it undertakes a $246 million casino expansion project.

The first lawsuit was filed last December by the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma. The Muscogees say the Poarch Band has violated the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and other federal laws by building the Wind Creek Wetumpka on top of the Save Hickory Ground, a burial ground and sacred site.

The second lawsuit was filed on Tuesday by Attorney General Luther Strange. He is accusing the tribe of operating electronic gaming machines that are illegal off the reservation.

Get the Story:
Creek Nation member jailed for prayer service at Alabama casino site is freed (The Tulsa World 2/21)
Legal Versus Illegal Gambling in Alabama (WKRG-TV 2/20)

Relevant Documents:
Complaint: Alabama v. PCI Gaming Authority (February 29, 2013)
Complaint: Muscogee Nation v. Poarch Band of Creek Indians (December 12, 2012)

Muscogee man released after incident at Poarch Creek casino (2/20)
Poarch Band disputes jurisdiction of state at gaming facilities (2/20)