Judge rules Kan. tribe has sovereign immunity

Eds: APNewsNow.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas has won its argument that it is entitled to sovereign immunity as a federally recognized Indian tribe.

U.S. District Judge Richard Rogers cited the tribal immunity Thursday when he tossed out a discrimination lawsuit filed by the former acting casino manager.

Robert Nanomantube claimed in his suit that as a tribal descendant he was entitled to "Indian preference" under the tribe's employment policies. The job he wanted went to a non-Indian.

The judge said in his written order that the federal court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.