In a legal saga gripping Montana, a federal district court has handed down a stern verdict, demanding that Eagle Bear Inc., a campground operator, must post a substantial $1 million surety bond by March 11. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris dismissed the company’s attempt to slash the amount pending an appeal to the Ninth Circuit, sending shockwaves through the legal landscape.
Extended Deadline Sparks Controversy
Judge Morris, in a decisive Friday order, extended the initial February 9 deadline by 32 days, providing Eagle Bear Inc. with a brief respite. However, the judge declined the operator’s plea to pay a reduced $560,414 deposit in four installments, insisting on the full bond amount. The camp operator argued that the Blackfeet Nation, the aggrieved party, had not received any monetary judgment as of yet.
Campground Operator Must Pay $1M Bond: A Battle Over Campground Possession
Eagle Bear Inc. faces the aftermath of Judge Morris’ December 8 order, which found the company in illegal possession of campground property on Indian trust land for an astonishing 15 years. The court declared that Eagle Bear’s lease with the Blackfeet Nation was canceled in 2008, revealing a long-standing breach of Blackfeet law.
Stakes Rise in the Shadow of Bankruptcy
Complicating matters, a Montana federal bankruptcy court ruled on October 25 that the tribe is entitled to $1.74 million in past-due lodging taxes from Eagle Bear. The Blackfeet Nation contends that these taxes are nondischargeable debt, further intensifying the legal entanglement.
Campground Operator Must Pay $1M Bond: A Battle for Economic Survival
Despite a stay order recognizing Eagle Bear’s “substantial case for relief on the merits,” the $1 million surety bond deadline looms large. The operator contends that posting such an amount could jeopardize the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings and negatively impact its creditors. The Blackfeet Nation asserts that Eagle Bear is attempting to unlawfully leverage its bankruptcy filing to maintain its occupation of the contested land.
Legal Prowess on Both Sides
Eagle Bear Inc. is represented by Neil G. Westesen, Uriah J. Price, and Griffin B. Stevens of Crowley Fleck PLLP, while the Blackfeet Nation is represented in-house by Derek E. Kline and Evan M.T. Thompson of Browning Kaleczyc Berry & Hoven PC.
The Battle Rages On
As the legal battle intensifies, the fate of Eagle Bear Inc. hangs in the balance. The company’s attempt to navigate the complexities of the law and salvage its economic interests faces relentless opposition from the Blackfeet Nation. The stakes are high, and the suspense continues to build in this courtroom drama.
