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Detroit Businessman Sues Tribe

DETROIT, Michigan – As reported by the Detroit News: "Casino owner Don H. Barden is suing the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians claiming he's owed half of an $80 million settlement the tribe negoiatiated with Detroit's three casinos.

"The 500-member Lac Vieux tribe, based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, accepted the settlement as part of a 1997 federal suit it brought against the city of Detroit and the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

"The tribe sought to have Detroit's three casino licenses rebid -- claiming it was squeezed out of the bidding process -- but recently agreed to a court-approved settlement.

"In Barden's lawsuit, filed this week in Wayne County Circuit Court, the Detroit entrepreneur states he was approached by the tribe in 2001 to invest $500 million into a new Detroit casino if a federal court ruled one of the city's casino license must be rebid.

"As the tribe's lead negotiator, Barden said he was to receive 50 percent of any payouts from the lawsuit challenge…"

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