Tigua Tribe preparing an appeal over gaming dispute with state

Wednesday, July 13, 2011  

The Tigua Tribe will appeal the latest ruling in its long-running gaming dispute with the state of Texas.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on June 30 upheld contempt charges against the tribe for operating eight-liner devices in violation of state law. The court also said the state can review the tribe's gaming records every month.

"We are a federal reservation of Native Americans. In our eyes, they don't have jurisdiction," Tigua Lt. Gov. Carlos Hisa told The El Paso Times in response to the state's encroachments on the reservation.

The tribe could ask the 5th Circuit to rehear the case or it could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the ruling.

Get the Story:
Court denies Tiguas' appeal (The El Paso Times 7/13)

5th Circuit Decision:
Texas v. Tigua Tribe (June 30, 2011)

Related Stories:
5th Circuit upholds contempt charges in Tigua Tribe gaming case (7/1)