Judge Dismisses Tribe’s Lawsuit to Block Casino

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the Viejas Indian band to prevent another tribe from building a casino on nearby land.

In August, the Viejas sued the Southern Indian Health Council and six members of its board of directors. The suit alleged the board violated state laws on nonprofit corporations when it approved plans by the Ewiiaapaayp Indian band to build a casino and a new clinic on a 10-acre parcel in Alpine.

The Viejas band, which operates a casino less than a mile from the site, said the plan would hurt health services to the seven tribes that the clinic serves.