New Mexico sues Indian casino operation

SANTA FE, N.M., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- New Mexico officials Thursday asked a judge to close an Indian casino unless it complies with a revenue-sharing agreement with the state.

Attorney General Patricia Madrid said the Pojoaque Pueblo has refused to comply with a compact under which it must share 16 percent of its slot machine revenue with the state. She asked the judge to rule in the state's favor.

"If the Pueblo will not honor this agreement, I ask the federal court to order the Pueblo to shut down their casino operations," Madrid said.

The Pojoaque Pueblo is the sole tribe remaining in the lawsuit filed more than four years ago by Madrid to recover gaming revenues owed the state. Eleven other tribes settled their back payments for a total of $116 million.

Madrid believes that the Pojoaque Pueblo owes millions of dollars in back payments.