By Kevin Lavery
The city of Lansing may be in for a legal fight as it plans to build a new 245-million dollar casino.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and the Sault Ste. Marie band of Chippewa Indians are trumpeting their agreement to build a 125-thousand square foot casino. But the Saginaw Chippewas challenge that claim. They said the Sault's decision to build far outside their historic tribal lands is illegal. Saginaw spokesman James Nye said a new casino in Lansing would also nullify a state compact with two other tribes that would effectively end their revenue sharing obligation.
"This casino is threatening revenues that the state is actually receiving; not promises the state is getting, but real dollars that are actually going to the state coffers right now."
A spokesman for the Sault Chippewas insists the tribe is within its legal rights to build in Lansing. He said the tribe plans to file a federal application this summer.
Copyright 2010, MPRN
The city of Lansing may be in for a legal fight as it plans to build a new 245-million dollar casino.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and the Sault Ste. Marie band of Chippewa Indians are trumpeting their agreement to build a 125-thousand square foot casino. But the Saginaw Chippewas challenge that claim. They said the Sault's decision to build far outside their historic tribal lands is illegal. Saginaw spokesman James Nye said a new casino in Lansing would also nullify a state compact with two other tribes that would effectively end their revenue sharing obligation.
"This casino is threatening revenues that the state is actually receiving; not promises the state is getting, but real dollars that are actually going to the state coffers right now."
A spokesman for the Sault Chippewas insists the tribe is within its legal rights to build in Lansing. He said the tribe plans to file a federal application this summer.
Copyright 2010, MPRN