U.S. court dismisses Trump casino team’s suit against PA gaming board

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit today dismissed all counts in a suit brought by Donald Trump’s casino development team – Keystone Redevelopment Partners – against the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

The U.S. Court of Appeals ruling reverses a December 2009 district court decision. That decision said that the gaming board had awarded licenses in a way that unfairly favored in-state businesses. The district court dismissed the counts against the current PGCB members who did not participate in the 2006 licensing decision but held against those members who did vote on the license in the counts for damages.

According to a press release issued by the gaming board, “the Court concluded that Gaming Control Board members are entitled to absolute, quasi-judicial immunity from lawsuits brought against them in their individual capacities based on the exercise of their duties.  Quasi-judicial immunity recognizes that certain government officials who act in a capacity similar to a judge are immune from suits for money damages to assure that those individuals can perform their functions without harassment or intimidation and fear of liability.”

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