4th tribe to join lawsuit against Oklahoma governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma-based Indian tribe unanimously approved a $500,000 supplemental appropriation for expenses related to the lawsuit against Gov. Kevin Stitt over his claim that the state's gaming compacts have expired.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is the fourth tribe that appears to join the suit, according to Tulsa World.

"The National Council's approval of the budget request once again solidifies the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's unified support of the legal action taken by our fellow Nations," Principal Chief David Hill said in a written statement.

The Chickasaw, Choctaw and Cherokee tribes filed a federal lawsuit against Stitt, seeking a declaratory judgement on whether the compacts expired at the end of 2019, as Stitt says, or automatically renewed, as the tribes maintain.

The suit also alleges that Stitt is illegally interfering with the tribe's businesses and asks that he be ordered to stop.

Stitt has not yet filed a response.

The Quapaw tribe, which ranks sixth in revenue, is also contemplating joining the lawsuit, according to Chief John Berrey.

 

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