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Judge Says Enough's Enough; Will Decide Bingo Hall Future

SYRACUSE, New York – As reported by the Associated Press: ``A federal judge said Monday he will forgo a trial and decide later this month whether to allow an Oklahoma tribe to build a $25 million high-stakes bingo hall in the Finger Lakes based on the arguments he's already heard.

``The ruling by U.S. District Judge Neal McCurn was a qualified victory for the Seneca-Cayuga Indian Tribe of Oklahoma. The tribe filed a lawsuit in June seeking a court order blocking the town of Aurelius from forcing it to comply with local zoning and building laws.

``Town officials then filed their own court challenge seeking a preliminary injunction to block the tribe from building the bingo hall on a 229-acre site, 30 miles west of Syracuse.

``The hearing Monday was to consider the injunction. But McCurn, over the objections of the town's lawyer, said he had enough information and instead consolidated the case, making the trial unnecessary.

``…In the meantime, the judge left in place temporary restraining orders that bar both the tribe and town from taking additional steps.

``…The Seneca-Cayugas operate a high-stakes bingo hall in northeastern Oklahoma and contend their federal gambling license allows them to run a bingo hall on tribal land no matter where it is located…"

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