ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – A federal lawsuit challenging rules that would govern casino gambling expansion in New York and a related deal with the Oneida Indian Nation is headed back to state court.
The towns of Verona and Vernon in central New York sued for nullification of an agreement this year between the state and the Oneidas that would allow the tribe to put up to 25,000 acres of land into trust.
While the lawsuit does not seek to disrupt the casino expansion amendment voters will decide Tuesday, a victory by the towns would throw a monkey wrench into plans to regulate casino expansion.
U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn on Wednesday said the plaintiffs lacked standing and that his court does not have jurisdiction. He remanded the case to state court in Albany.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
