MIAMI (AP) – The Miccosukee Tribe has been ordered to disclose certain financial records for an IRS probe into the alleged misuse of tribal funds.
A federal judge in Miami ruled Wednesday that the credit card records of former chairman Billy Cypress are not protected by the tribe's sovereign immunity because of the U.S. government's “superior sovereign powers.” The tribe attempted to assert its rights as a sovereign nation to quash IRS summons issued in April.
The summons were issued as part of an investigation into allegations that the tribe had made cash distributions of revenue to members without anyone reporting it as taxable income. While investigating, IRS agents suspected Cypress had misused tribal funds for personal, lavish purchases.
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Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com