Oklahoma Governor Joins AG's Effort To Stop Broken Arrow Casino

Governor Mary Fallin has come out against a casino being built in Broken Arrow. The governor said Wednesday that she supports Attorney General Scott Pruitt's effort to stop construction of the casino.

Governor Fallin admits her office can't legally do anything to stop the casino, but she firmly supports the lawsuit filed Tuesday by Attorney General Scott Pruitt.

02/07/2012 Related Story: Oklahoma Attorney General Files Suit To Stop Broken Arrow Casino

Fallin released the following statement Wednesday:

"I certainly do not support the construction of a gaming facility which local residents do not want and which may have a negative impact on the community."

It's the latest volley to force the Kialegee's to stop building their casino. Construction at the casino site has paused while crews wait for the delivery of the mobile gaming units.

Pruitt says the Kialegee's do not have jurisdiction over the land because it was originally allotted to the Muskogee (Creek) Nation. He also says the tribe does not have federal approval of a lease to operate a Class III gaming facility.

The attorney for the Kialegee's released his own statement, saying in part:

"We believe that the complaint filed demonstrates a fundamental failure to research and understand the basis of the Kialegee Tribal Town's claims in this case."

Dennis Whittlesey says the tribe is planning a class II and class III gaming facility but the compact with the state does not apply to class II gaming.   

He says until a slot lever is actually pulled the tribe is not breaking the law and the state's lawsuit is frivolous.

Whittlesey also points to a conflict of interest for Attorney General Scott Pruitt because he serves as a deacon for the First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow.

Whittlesey says the church has campaigned against the casino and Pruitt along with his staff should recuse themselves from lawsuit.

The Kialegee attorney also asked why a New Mexico law firm was brought in to help the state with the lawsuit.

A spokeswoman in the AG's office say that firm is being used because it is an expert in Native American law.