Attorney general seeks closure of tribe’s casino

Amy Shafer

Friday, Sept. 12, 2003 | 9:33 a.m.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The state attorney general said that he asked the National Indian Gaming Commission to close a downtown casino opened by an American Indian tribe more than a week ago.

The Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma did not complete the process to gain approval from the gaming commission, said Attorney General Phill Kline. He also said the tribe violated federal law by modifying a historical landmark.

Kline wants the tribe to provide evidence of building modifications and allow his investigators to inspect the casino. If it does not comply by Thursday, he plans to file a civil lawsuit.

He also threatened to sue the federal government if the Indian Gaming Commission does not investigate whether the tribe followed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act when it opened the casino. Kline gave the commission until Oct. 10 to meet his request.

The tribe referred all calls to its attorney, David McCullough, who did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

A person who answered the phone after hours at the Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, D.C., said the woman who could answer questions about Kline's allegations was gone for the day.

The tribe for years has threatened to open a downtown casino as leverage to force approval of its preferred plan for a larger-scale casino and resort at The Woodlands racetrack in Edwardsville or near Kansas Speedway in western Wyandotte County.