Judge tosses tribe's discrimination claim against Snoqualmie

SEATTLE (AP) -- A federal judge is siding for now with the city of Snoqualmie in a dispute over utility services at the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe's casino.

The dispute concerns the city's decision to terminate sewer and other services at the casino beginning in November. In a lawsuit filed last year, the tribe alleged the decision was motivated by racial discrimination and violated federal law.

U.S. District Judge James Robart dismissed that part of the tribe's complaint Monday. He wrote that the tribe did not make a plausible case that the city's actions were discriminatory, but he gave the tribe 20 days to amend its complaint.

A lawyer for the tribe said it has "every intention of amending its complaint to add more evidence of discrimination.''

The tribe also still has claims pending under state law, including `"unreasonable refusal to provide sewer services.'"