TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A federal judge could decide whether a little-known Indian tribe of 350 members can legally build a casino in the Tulsa suburb of Broken Arrow.
Oklahoma's attorney general has sued the Kialegee Tribal Town in federal court, asking for an injunction to halt building at the site. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Tulsa before U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell.
Opponents of the casino say the tribe doesn't have the authority under federal law to operate a gaming facility.
The tribe's king, Tiger Hobia, says his tribe is exempt from a federal review, and has said the casino would give the tribe its only chance to provide programs for its impoverished members.
The tribe broke ground on the Red Clay Casino site late last year and has already trucked in several pre-fabricated buildings to temporarily house slot machines.