The Graton Resort and Casino in California. Photo from Instagram
Opponents of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria lost another challenge to the tribe's new casino in northern California. The Stop the Casino 101 Coalition sued Gov. Jerry Brown (D) for signing a Class III gaming compact with the tribe. The lawsuit claims the tribe's trust land was not properly removed from state jurisdiction. A judge dismissed the lawsuit in August 2013 so the group took the case to California's Court of Appeal for the 1st Appellate District. In a unanimous decision, the court said the claim lacked merit. "The suggestion that a tribe does not necessarily exercise some jurisdiction over its reservation is at odds with “traditional notions of Indian sovereignty and the congressional goal of Indian self-government, including its ‘overriding goal’ of encouraging tribal self-sufficiency and economic development," the court wrote, quoting from the historic California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians decision. The tribe opened the $825 million Graton Resort and Casino in November 2013. The facility has been doing well and the tribe chose not to refinance its remaining debt despite favorable market conditions, Forbes reported. Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case, Stop the Casino 101 Coalition v. Brown. Get the Story:
Graton Resort & Casino Shelves $950M Leveraged Loan In Softer Market (Forbest 10/3) California Court of Appeal Decision:
Stop the Casino 101 Coalition v. Brown (October 3, 2014) Related Stories:
Leader of Graton Rancheria still upset with price of land for casino (09/05)
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