Stupak Throws Indian Law Monkey Wrench Into Greektown Bankruptcy

Potentially, though perhaps not likely, this is a huge issue. Assuming that the Greektown parcel is owned by the Secretary of Interior on behalf of the Sault Tribe, then an Act of Congress may be required. And if one is not forthcoming, there may be some very interesting litigation involving the interaction of federal bankrupcty laws and maybe the Quiet Title Act. If the land is not in trust, then we may still have a Non-Intercourse Act problem, but likely not. Apparently, according to the letter, the land is in trust.

Update: Via Indianz, here is Stupak’s letter.

From the Freep, via Pechanga:

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep Bart Stupak wants to halt the bankruptcy reorganization of Greektown Casino at least until the federal government determines whether an act of Congress is needed to transfer the land the Detroit gaming hall sits on.

Earlier this year, a federal bankruptcy judge approved a reorganization plan allowing Greektown Casino’s bondholders — including several private equity and hedge funds — to take ownership. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, based on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has a majority ownership stake in the casino.

The process needs the approval of the Michigan Gaming Control Board, with a court deadline of June 30 approaching.

But Stupak, D-Menominee, has asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to delay any change in ownership while they investigate whether land held by the federal government on behalf of the tribe — about three-fourths of an acre on Beaubien Street in Detroit — can be transferred without an act of Congress.

“The tribe stands to lose its entire investment in the business, including a portion of the real property underlying the casino,” Stupak said in the letter written Wednesday.

According to Stupak, 400 Monroe Associates — controlled by Greektown businessman Ted Gatzaros — deeded the land to the U.S. Department of Interior on behalf of the tribe in 1992.

Tribally owned lands cannot be sold without the consent of the federal government, and the Interior Department is not allowed to approve the sale of such land without direct congressional authorization, Stupak said.

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Tenth Circuit Applies Quiet Title Act in Tribal Challenge to Trust Acquisition–UPDATED with Briefs

Big case. Here is the opinion in Iowa Tribe v. Salazar.

Briefs and other materials:

Iowa Tribe and Sac & Fox Nation Opening Brief

Interior Answer Brief

Iowa Tribe and Sac & Fox Nation Reply Brief

Interior Motion to Take Judicial Notice of Warranty Deed

Order Dismissing Sac and Fox Nation as a Party

Michigan Indian Casino Money May Fund College Scholarships

From Native American Times, via Pechanga:

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Legislation headed for Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s desk would allow Michigan school districts to use money received through agreements with tribal-run casinos to fund college scholarship programs.

The Senate unanimously approved the bill on Wednesday.

Michigan has more than 20 casinos run by American Indian tribes. The tribes have agreements with the state that typically provides 2 percent of certain gaming revenue to local governments, including schools.

The bill would allow school districts covered by those agreements to use their proceeds for scholarships for their graduates.

The legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. Ron Jelinek of Three Oaks was sparked by a plan from New Buffalo schools to fund a scholarship program.

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The legislation is Senate Bill 1097.

Ninth Circuit Holds that Challengers to Graton Rancheria Casino Have No Standing

Here is the unpublished opinion in Stop the Casino 101 Coalition v. Salazar.

News coverage here, via Pechanga.

Runyon v. River Rock Entertainment Authority–Tribal Immunity Forecloses Employment Arbitration

Here is the unpublished opinion from the California Court of Appeals. River Rock is owned by the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.

Elem Colony Casino Development Contract Voided; Arbitration Vacated

Here are the materials in Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians v. Pacific Development Partners X (N.D. Cal.):

DCT Order Denying Motion to Modify Arbitral Award

PDP Motion to Vacate or Modify Arbitral Award

Elem Opposition to Motion to Vacate

PDP Reply re Motion to Vacate

Patchak Reply Brief Filed

Here: Patchak v Salazar Appellants Reply Brief 5-25-2010

Other briefs here.

NLRB v. Fortune Bay Appeal Voluntarily Dismissed

Here: Fortune Bay Voluntary Dismissal.

The Bois Fort Band will proceed through the administrative process first.

Lower court materials here.

Challenge to NIGC Rulemaking Authority Ongoing

Here are current materials in Crosby Lodge v. NIGC (D. Nev.), a challenge to NIGC authority to require that 60 percent of on-reservation gaming revenues of non-Indian gaming entities go to tribes (25 CFR 522.10(c)):

Crosby Lodge Motion for Summary Judgment

NIGC Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment

Earlier materials here.

Opening Briefs in First Major Post-Carcieri Challenge to Fee to Trust–Updated

The case is Patchak v. Salazar (D.C. Cir.) and involves the DOI’s taking of land into trust for the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians. The land already is in trust.

Here are the opening briefs:

2010-04-09 Patchak Opening Brief

2010-05-10 Gun Lake Answer Brief (Filed)

02 Proposed Brief Amicus Curiae–NCAI

2010-05-10 U.S. Answer Brief

Lower court materials are here.