Judge dismisses lawsuit on Omaha legal opinion

Friday, August 10, 2007  

A judge in Nebraska has dismissed a lawsuit that challenged a legal opinion about the Omaha Tribe.

Gail Bertucci, a tribal member, sued attorney general Jon Bruning for issuing the opinion. She said he responded improperly to non-Indians who asked about the tribe's liquor tax and the reservation boundaries.

Bruning responded that the tribe has the power to impose a tax. But he urged non-Indian business owners to pursue legal action because he cited an earlier opinion that said the reservation has been diminished.

The judge, however, said he lacks power to act on a legal opinion. "His opinions on the law are just that, his opinions," the judge wrote of the attorney general, the Associated Press reported.

Get the Story:
Judge dismisses lawsuit against AG Bruning (AP 8/10)

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