Patchak v. Skibine – Turtle Talk

A [federal] court judge today dismissed the final legal obstacle to the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi Indians‘ casino plans.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon denied former Wayland Township Trustee David Patchak‘s request for a stay blocking the Department of Interior from taking land near Wayland into trust for the Gun Lake Band while the Supreme Court of the United States considers a tribal gaming case in Rhode Island.

The Supreme Court last week refused to hear an appeal by Grand Rapids-based Michigan Gambling Opposition — MichGO — to derail permanently taking the 147 acres into trust for the tribe.

Continue reading →

Gun Lake Band Awaits Ruling in Patchak v. Skibine

January 26, 2009January 26, 2009Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From West Michigan Business:

GRAND RAPIDS — Odds are even the Gun Lake casino will be a winning bet today.

This morning, U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon was to hear motions that could once more delay a casino plan, now entering its 10th year of legal maneuvering.

At stake: whether the federal government can turn 147 acres in Wayland Township into tribal land, by placing it in trust.

The U.S. Department of the Interior and the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi said last week they would wait until 5 p.m. today before inking the transfer. That is expected to happen if the judge denies motions to delay.

Continue reading →