Oklahoma’s newly appointed Republican Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, has entered a longstanding legal dispute over tribal gaming agreements signed by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2020. Accusing the governor of non-compliance with state law, Drummond has notified Stitt of his intent to join the lawsuit, representing the interests of the state. This report delves into the background of the dispute, Drummond’s allegations against Stitt, and the broader implications for tribal gaming in Oklahoma.
Allegations Against Governor Stitt
Attorney General Drummond contends that Governor Stitt failed to comply with state law when he signed gaming compacts with four tribes in 2020. Drummond asserts that these compacts were invalid from the outset because Stitt lacked the necessary approval or authorization from the Oklahoma Legislature to enter into such agreements. The legal battle stems from Stitt’s attempt to renegotiate tribal gambling compacts in 2019, a move that triggered ongoing tensions with tribal leaders.
Tribal Lawsuit and Complications
The Cherokee, Citizen Potawatomi, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations initiated a lawsuit in federal district court challenging Governor Stitt’s gaming compacts with four other tribes. These compacts, with the Otoe-Missouria, Kialegee Tribal City, Comanche Nation, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, became a focal point of contention. Stitt argued that the compacts approved by voters in 2004 had expired, while tribal leaders maintained that they automatically renewed, a stance validated by a federal judge.
Strained Relationship and Criticism
Governor Stitt’s confrontational approach to tribal negotiations has strained his relationship with tribal leaders and drawn criticism from fellow Republicans. The failed attempt to renegotiate compacts in 2019 and subsequent legal battles have exacerbated tensions, contributing to a hostile environment. Attorney General Drummond underscores the financial toll of this approach, citing nearly $600,000 in legal fees incurred by private law firms hired by Stitt to defend the compacts.
Attorney General Drummond’s Intervention
In response to a request from House Speaker Charles McCall and Acting Senate President Greg Treat, Attorney General Drummond has decided to intervene in the lawsuit. Drummond’s involvement aims to represent the state’s interests and address the alleged non-compliance with state law. The move reflects a broader effort to bring clarity and resolution to the ongoing legal dispute.
Oklahoma’s legal battle over tribal gaming compacts takes a new turn with Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s intervention. Accusing Governor Kevin Stitt of flouting state law, Drummond’s entry into the lawsuit underscores the complexities of tribal-state relations and the need for a balanced approach in navigating these issues. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for tribal gaming in Oklahoma and the broader landscape of state-tribe interactions will undoubtedly be closely monitored.