Investors claim land for Detroit casino never placed in trust

Friday, June 18, 2010  

"Shouldn't trust status of a parcel be easy to look up?" asks MrKind, a commenter on a Soo Evening News story about the status of land used for the Greektown Casino Hotel in Detroit, Michigan.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians says 0.76 acres at the site were placed in trust in 1992. But the investors who are taking over the casino as part of bankruptcy proceedings say there's no evidence of the acquisition by the federal government.

“The land was never placed in trust," Chris DeWitt, a spokesperson for the investors, told the paper.

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Michigan) has asked the Justice Department and the Interior Department to investigate the issue. A June 9 letter said the land was indeed placed in trust.

Get the Story:
Investors counter Stupak (The Soo Evening News 6/17)

Related Stories:
New investors dispute Sault Tribe's interest in Detroit casino (6/17)
Sault Tribe seeks clarification on status of Detroit casino site (6/11)