Cherokee Nation Allowed to Proceed with Avandia Suit against GlaxoSmithKline in Cherokee Courts

Here are the materials in GlaxoSmithKline LLC v. Cherokee Nation (D. Mass.):

62 GlaxoSmithKline Motion

63 US Memorandum

65 Cherokee Nation Motion

68 GlaxoSmithKline Reply

70 Cherokee Nation Reply

79 DCT Order

An excerpt:

The dispute in this case centers on a 2012 settlement agreement entered into by Plaintiff GlaxoSmithKline LLC (“GlaxoSmithKline” or “GSK”) in connection with its plea in a  criminal proceeding, United States of America v. GlaxoSmithKline, LLC, Criminal Action  No. 12-10206-RWZ (D. Mass). GlaxoSmithKline now seeks a declaratory judgment that claims brought by the Cherokee Nation in the District Court of the Cherokee Nation were released by the settlement agreement. Presently at issue are GlaxoSmithKline’s Renewed Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment [#61] and the Cherokee Nation’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment [#64]. For the following reasons, GlaxoSmithKline’s motion is DENIED and the Cherokee Nation’s motion is ALLOWED.

We posted the complaint here.

 

Update in Massachusetts Suit over Gaming on Martha’s Vineyard

Here are the new materials in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (D. Mass.):

37 Aquinnah Community Association Motion to Intervene + Proposed Complaint

39 Town of Aquinnah Motion to Intervene

41 Wampanoag Opposition to Town Motion

42 Wampanoag Opposition to Community Association Motion

48 Town Reply

50 Aquinnah Reply

60 Tribe Motion to Dismiss

62 Tribe Rule 19 Motion to Dismiss

Prior posts here and here.

Update in Massachusetts Suit over Gaming on Martha’s Vineyard

Here are the new materials in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (D. Mass.):

37 Aquinnah Community Association Motion to Intervene + Proposed Complaint

39 Town of Aquinnah Motion to Intervene

41 Wampanoag Opposition to Town Motion

42 Wampanoag Opposition to Community Association Motion

48 Town Reply

50 Aquinnah Reply

60 Tribe Motion to Dismiss

62 Tribe Rule 19 Motion to Dismiss

Prior posts here and here.

Federal Court Finds Jurisdiction in Tribal Dispute with Massachusetts over Regulation of Gaming on Martha Vineyard

Here are the materials so far in Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (D. Mass.):

1 Notice of Removal

18 Massachusetts Motion to Remand

21 Opposition to Motion to Remand

25-1 Massachusetts Reply

31 DCT Order

An excerpt:

This lawsuit involves a dispute between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a federally recognized Indian tribe as to who has regulatory jurisdiction over civil gaming on Indian lands on Martha’s Vineyard. The Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe and related entities have taken steps to commence commercial gaming operations on tribal lands without a license from the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts contends that by doing so, the Tribe violated a 1983 settlement agreement that subject the lands in question to state civil and criminal jurisdiction. Count 1 of the complaint alleges breach of contract, and Count 2 seeks a declaratory judgment.

The Commonwealth filed suit in state court on December 2, 2013. On December 30, 2013, defendants removed the action to this Court on the basis of federal-question and supplemental jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1367. The Commonwealth has moved to remand the matter to state court. For the reasons set forth below, the motion will be denied.

Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to 2009 Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Election

Here are the materials in Ramos v. Bureau of Indian Affairs (D. Mass.):

1 Complaint

9 Amended Complaint

11 BIA Motion to Dismiss

12 Ramos Response

15 BIA Reply

22 DCT Order Dismissing Claim

An excerpt:

The Plaintiffs, enrolled members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (“Tribe”), have sued the Defendants, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (“BIA”); Michael Black, Director of the BIA; Mike Smith, Deputy Director; Franklin Keel, Regional Director; and Kevin Washburn, Assistant Secretary (collectively, the “Defendants”) seeking an injunction requiring the Defendants to conduct an investigation into the Tribe’s 2009 election and to take action to ensure that the Tribe’s elections are properly conducted. D. 9 at 10. The Defendants have moved to dismiss the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, failure to state a claim and failure to join a necessary party. D. 10. Because the Court concludes that it does not have subject matter jurisdiction over this matter, the Court ALLOWS the motion to dismiss.

Nipmuc Nation v. Jewell — Complaint Seeking Federal Recognition

Here:

Complaint

News coverage here.

Judge Gorton Holds Massachusetts Gaming Act Passes Constitutional Scrutiny

Here are the materials in KG Urban v. Patrick (D. Mass.):

140 Mass Gaming Commission Motion for Summary J

143 KG Urban Motion for Summary J

151 KG Urban Opposition

152 Mass Gaming Commission Opposition

153 Mass Gaming Commission Reply

160 DCT Opinion

News coverage here.

Prior posts in this case are here, here, here, and here. First Circuit materials are here.

GlaxoSmithKline v. Cherokee Nation — Suit over Cherokee Court Jurisdiction

Here is the complaint in GlaxoSmithKline LLC v. Cherokee Nation (D. Mass.):

Complaint

An excerpt:

By filing suit in the Tribal Court for conduct relating to the marketing, sale and promotion of Avandia, the Cherokee Nation breached the Avandia Settlement Agreement in three ways. First, the Avandia Settlement Agreement clearly specifies that the exclusive jurisdiction and venue over disputes under the Avandia Settlement Agreement are vested in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Filing suit in the Tribal Court was a breach of this exclusive jurisdiction and venue provision. Second, the Cherokee Nation’s suit runs afoul of the Avandia Settlement Agreement because it asserts claims that were released under the Avandia Settlement Agreement. Third, the suit purports to seek relief under the “statutory, common, and decisional laws of the Cherokee Nation,” notwithstanding that disputes under the Settlement Agreement are “governed under the laws of the United States.”

KG Urban v. Patrick Update — Matter Not Moot

Here are updated materials in KG Urban v. Patrick (D. Mass.):

DCT Order Denying MTD

Motion to Dismiss

KG Urban Opposition

Reply

Amended complaint here.

Federal Court Denies Tribal Intervention Motions in KG Urban v. Patrick

Here is that order:

DCT Order Denying Intervention

The intervention motions are here.