Contract law a focus in West Valley casino legal flap
By Caitlin McGlade |The Arizona Republic
Judge David Campbell might be nearing the end of the road on the case between the Tohono O’odham Nation, the state and two other Valley tribes, but he still must stumble over some barnyard animals.
The U.S. District Court judge has collected every argument to answer stray questions after his May ruling that overwhelmingly favored the Tohono O’odham, the southern Arizona tribe that seeks reservation status on 54 acres near Glendale to open a resort and casino.
The final argument before Campbell revolves around contract law, specifically whether the Tohono O’odham knew that the state and others thought the 2002 voter-approved gaming compact would prohibit more casinos in the Valley.
The state and the other Valley tribes argue the Tohono O’odham did, so that understanding should be enforced even though the prohibition isn’t written in the compact.
Or to put it in barnyard terms, as they did in a recent filing, consider two people involved in the sale of a cow.
Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents legislative leadership in a suit opposing the casino.
Also: Tax hike part of $576M Glendale budget plan
