Tohono O'odham Nation wants $4.2M in fees for casino lawsuit

Thursday, July 11, 2013
Filed Under: Casino Stalker | Compacts | Litigation
More on: 9th circuit, arizona, bia, gila river, land-into-trust, off-reservation, salt river, tohono oodham

Artist's rendering of the proposed West Valley Resort. Image from Tohono O'odham Nation.

The Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona is seeking $4.2 million in attorney's fees after winning a lawsuit against its proposed off-reservation casino.

The state of Arizona, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Gila River Indian Community claimed that the Class III gaming compact barred a casino in the Phoenix area. Judge David Campbell, in a June 25 decision, determined that wasn't the case so the Tohono O'odham Nation is seeking to recover expenses associated with defending its rights.

The tribe has won nearly every stage of litigation against the proposed West Valley Resort. One issue, however, has been remanded to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to determine whether the gaming site lies "within the corporate limits" of a municipality in Arizona.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an amended opinion on Monday on that issue.

Get the Story:
Tohono O'odham asks for $4.2M for attorney's fees (AP 7/11)
Casino a four-year issue (The Glendale Star 7/11)
Tohono O'odham Casino (Courthouse News Service 7/9)

District Court Decision:
Arizona v. Tohono O'odham Nation (June 25, 2013)

9th Circuit Decision:
Glendale v. US (July 9, 2013)

Related Stories:
Tohono O'odham Nation wins another ruling in casino lawsuit (6/26)