Michigan tribe seeks dismissal of casino lawsuit

Wednesday, January 11, 2006  

The Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, is asking a federal court to throw out a lawsuit challenging its casino proposal.

The tribe is seeking approval to open a casino on 145 acres. An anti-gaming group called Michigan Gambling Opposition is trying to block the acquisition of the land.

"We are very hopeful the court will concur with our position that MichGO’s claims have no merit. We appreciate the help from the Department of Justice in defense of the tribe's federal rights," said Gun Lake Chairman D.K. Sprague.

The tribe hopes to benefit from a decision in a related Michigan gaming case. Last Friday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a lawsuit that challenged a trust land acquisition for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Both cases were filed by the same attorneys and make similar arguments.