Snoqualmie Tribe sues city, mayor over utility agreement

SEATTLE (AP) _ The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe has filed a federal lawsuit claiming racial discrimination is behind a decision by the City of Snoqualmie, its mayor and council to end utility services for the tribe's casino.

The complaint says without sewer services, the casino would have to close and that would threaten the tribe's ability to offer governmental programs and services.

The tribe says the casino hosts about 6,000 visitors daily and the tribe pays almost $500,000 each year for sewer services. But the city and council recently decided to end their agreement to provide sewer utility services.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction and claims the city is trying to ``choke out the tribe on the basis of race.'' It says the city's actions don't impact non-Indians in the area.

The city attorney's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.