Judge axes lawsuit against Graton Rancheria casino compact

Friday, August 2, 2013
Filed Under: California | Compacts | Litigation | Openings and Closings
More on: graton, jerry brown, land-into-trust

Artist's rendering of the Graton Resort and Casino. Image from Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

A judge in California dismissed a lawsuit aimed at stopping the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria from opening a casino.

The tribe was not a party to the suit. Instead, a group called Stop the Casino 101 Coalition sued Gov. Jerry Brown (D), claiming he lacked authority to enter into a Class III gaming compact because the tribe's trust land was not properly removed from state jurisdiction.

Superior Court Judge Elliot Daum rejected the argument. He noted that a similar claim involving another California tribe was rejected by the federal courts.

The tribe expects to open $800 million Graton Resort and Casino later this year.

Get the Story:
Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to stop Rohnert Park casino (The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat 8/2)

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