CONTINUING COVERAGE

Casino controversy in Broken Arrow


Rendering of the Red Clay Casino in Broken Arrow. Courtesy

Overview: In December 2011, a Broken Arrow city planning official confirmed that the Kialegee Tribal Town was planning to build a gaming establishment in the city and call it the Red Clay Casino.

The project met stiff resistance from a neighborhood group and political leaders. Eventually, it was halted by a court ruling.

Now, the project might have new life. Developers proposed in December 2012, that they would pitch an idea to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to open the casino.

The neighborhood group opposed to the previous project has said they also will oppose this project, which is on restricted Creek land at the southwest corner of South Olive Avenue (129th East Avenue) and West Florence Street (111th Street), just north of the Creek Turnpike.

This page provides continuing coverage of the project.

HEADLINES
Tribe, Oklahoma AG submit written arguments to 10th Circuit in casino battle

Tribe, Oklahoma AG submit written arguments to 10th Circuit in casino battle   1/29/2013

The fight over a planned Broken Arrow casino continues in a federal appeals court.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation rejects Red Clay Casino proposal for Broken Arrow

Muscogee (Creek) Nation rejects Red Clay Casino proposal for Broken Arrow   12/12/2012

A Muscogee (Creek) Nation committee rejected a proposal for the tribe to take over a controversial Broken Arrow casino project by a 7-2 vote Tuesday night.

Creek committee rejects Broken Arrow casino proposal

Creek committee rejects Broken Arrow casino proposal   12/11/2012

By a 7-2 vote, the committee decides the Muscogee (Creek) Nation won't take over the controversial Red Clay Casino project.

Casino proposal surprises Broken Arrow officials

Casino proposal surprises Broken Arrow officials   12/8/2012

City officials were caught off guard by news of a developer's proposal to resume building a controversial Indian casino, Broken Arrow Mayor Craig Thurmond said.

Developers to pitch Broken Arrow casino plan to Creek Nation panel

Developers to pitch Broken Arrow casino plan to Creek Nation panel   12/7/2012

A controversial casino plan that once involved the Kialegee Tribal Town may get new life with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Kialegee casino appeal hangs in circuit court

Kialegee casino appeal hangs in circuit court   10/10/2012

Investors behind the stymied Red Clay Casino in Broken Arrow did not have much luck recently in getting the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to breathe new life into their court-defeated casino effort.

Casino buildings in Broken Arrow defended

Casino buildings in Broken Arrow defended   8/18/2012

Developers behind the stymied Red Clay Casino staunchly defended the construction methods used in the installation of a series of modular buildings that have been criticized by a local architect.

Tulsa law firm sues MCZ Development Corp. for fraud after representing Kialegee Tribal Town in its quest for a casino

Tulsa law firm sues MCZ Development Corp. for fraud after representing Kialegee Tribal Town in its quest for a casino   8/4/2012

A local law firm that withdrew its representation of the Kialegee Tribal Town, its town king and Florence Development Partners LLC because it has not been paid is now suing a Chicago real estate developer that is behind the stymied casino development in Broken Arrow for fraud.

Judge won't stop Kialegees from running nongaming business at BA site   8/1/2012

The U.S. District Court will not stop the Kialegee Tribal Town from operating a restaurant, sports bar or other nongaming businesses on a Muscogee (Creek) allotment in Broken Arrow.

Broken Arrow casino ruling won't be reconsidered   7/31/2012

Chief U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell will not reconsider his previous granting of an injunction against the operation of an Indian casino in Broken Arrow.

Injunction stopping Broken Arrow casino construction stands

Injunction stopping Broken Arrow casino construction stands   7/30/2012

Chief U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell will not reconsider his previous granting of an injunction against the operation of an Indian casino in Broken Arrow.

Fans, foes of proposed Kialegee Tribal Town casino in Broken Arrow claim racism

Fans, foes of proposed Kialegee Tribal Town casino in Broken Arrow claim racism   7/18/2012

Accusations of racism were thrown between supporters and opponents of a proposed Kialegee Tribal Town casino at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

Racism charges levied by Broken Arrow casino supporters, opponents

Racism charges levied by Broken Arrow casino supporters, opponents   7/17/2012

Accusations of racism were thrown between supporters and opponents of a proposed Kialegee Tribal Town casino at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Judge says fireworks sales at Kialegee casino construction site didn't violate court order   7/10/2012

The Kialegee Tribal Town did not violate a court-ordered injunction against the construction of an Indian casino by operating a fireworks stand this summer, a federal judge ruled Monday.

BA casino defendants say fireworks sales at site were legal   7/6/2012

The defendants behind a proposed Indian casino in Broken Arrow say they do not believe that selling fireworks was a violation of a court injunction against further construction of a gaming facility at the site.

Attorneys for Kialegee Tribal Town say they haven't been paid in casino case   7/4/2012

Attorneys who tried unsuccessfully to prevent an injunction against construction of an Indian casino in Broken Arrow have requested permission to withdraw as counsel for the Kialegee Tribal Town, its town king and developers because they haven't been paid.

Panel opposes Kialegee tribe's adoption try, nixes proposal for gaming jurisdiction

Panel opposes Kialegee tribe's adoption try, nixes proposal for gaming jurisdiction   6/21/2012

The Kialegee Tribal Town's adoption of two Creek women does not give the tribe jurisdiction on the women's Creek Nation-allotted land in Broken Arrow, according to a letter from the National Indian Gaming Commission.

BA casino foes invited to picnic   6/21/2012

A 'Thank You BBQ Celebration' will be held Saturday for supporters of the opposition effort against a local Indian casino.

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KEY DOCUMENTS
Read the letter to the land owners where the proposed casino is planned from the Bureau of Indian Affairs about requiring a lease from the BIA.

Read the plaintiff's brief filed by the State of Oklahoma against the Town King of the Kialegee Tribal Town.

Read the motion for preliminary injunction filed by the State of Oklahoma against the Town King of the Kialegee Tribal Town.

Read the complaint for declaratory judgment filed by the State of Oklahoma against the Town King of the Kialegee Tribal Town.

Read the letter from Rep. John Sullivan and Sen. Jim Inhofe to the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Read the letter from Tracie Stevens, chairwoman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, to Rep. John Sullivan and Sen. Tom Coburn.

Read the lease agreement between the Kialegees, land owners and the developers.

Read a press release by the Kialegee Tribal Town Jan. 9 about no requirement for a transfer of jurisdiction to the Kialegee, written by Dennis J. Whittlesey.

Read the letter from Rep. John Sullivan and Sen. Tom Colburn to the National Indian Gaming Commission about the casino.

Read the letter from Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who is requesting information from two federal agencies about the Broken Arrow casino under construction.

Read the letter from Jason Nichols, commissioner of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Public Gaming, about the location of the proposed Kialegee casino.

Read Congressman John Sullivan's letter to the National Gaming Comission about the Kialegee's gaming license application.

Read the statement released by Tiger Hobia, the Town King of the Kialegee Tribal Town in Wetumka, in response to Congressman John Sullivan's letter about the proposed casino.

Read the judge's order that ruled the owner of the land could not transfer government jurisdiction over the property through the terms of a lease.

Read the Creek Nation's gaming ordinance.