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DECEMBER 8, 2000

U.S. District Judge Bruce D. Black for the District of New Mexico on Wednesday ruled that New Mexico's 12 gaming tribes can be sued by the state for failing to remit a 16 percent revenue sharing fee as required by their compacts.

Attorney General Patricia Madrid sued the tribes in June, saying they had to pay the state or close. While some tribes had paid the state, either in full or partially, they all agreed to stop paying earlier this year.

The tribes in response filed a motion to dismiss the suit on grounds of sovereign immunity and lack of jurisdiction in federal court.

The tribes might appeal the decision.

Get the Story:
State Can Sue Tribes, Judge Rules (The Albuquerque Journal 12/8)

Get the Filed Complaint:
State of New Mexico v. Jicarilla Apache Tribe, et al.

Related Stories:
Gaming tribes ask for dismissal (Money Matters 08/15)
State sues tribes (Money Matters 06/14)