Across 20 different legal actions, former residents of the Jamul Indian Village in San Diego County have fought for years against the tribe’s casino, without success. Now a federal judge has in an effort to “provide finality” not only dismissed the latest case but also ordered sanctions in the form of all attorney fees since the start of the case.

“The defense argues that plaintiffs maintained this suit solely for harassment and with full knowledge that it was doomed. After surveying the legal carnage of the past few decades — including plaintiffs’ 20-plus failed lawsuits with various shifting and meritless theories — the court must grudgingly agree,” U.S. District Judge Andrew G. Schopler, a Joe Biden appointee, wrote in his order issued Thursday.