Martha's Vineyard Town Wants To Join Lawsuit Against Tribal Casino

BOSTON (AP) — A town on Martha's Vineyard and a local community association want to join the state's lawsuit seeking to block the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe's plans to build a gambling hall on the island.

In motions filed late Thursday, the town of Aquinnah and the Aquinnah/Gay Head Community Association petitioned to intervene in the state's suit, which is currently in U.S. District Court in Boston.

The two entities say they have "unique legal interests" since they, along with the state, were party to the 1983 settlement that gave the federally recognized tribe ownership of 400 acres on the western tip of the island.

The state alleges the tribe is in violation of that settlement after talking about turning their community center into a gambling hall last year.

The tribe has disputed that interpretation of the agreement.

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