Watch CBS News

Court: Can Lawsuit Against Casino Go Forward?

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court will decide whether a lawsuit attempting to shut down a new tribal casino in southwestern Michigan can move forward.

The justices on Monday agreed to hear from the government and the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pattawatomi Indians, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe.

The tribe opened a casino earlier this year in Wayland Township, 20 miles south of Grand Rapids. But casino foe David Patchak sued to close the casino down, challenging how the government placed the land in trust for the tribe. A federal judge threw out his lawsuit, but the U.S. Appeals Court for the Federal Circuit said it could move forward.

The justices will hear arguments next year.

The cases are Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pattawatomi Indians v. Patchak, 11-246, and Salazar v. Patchak, 11-247.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.