Colley Billie, standing between portraits of his father, Sonny Billie (left), and uncle, Buffalo Tiger, both of whom also served as chairmen of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. The tribe's flag is at the right. Photo from National Museum of the American Indian

The leader of the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida could be held in contempt over his failure to turn over documents to the Internal Revenue Service.

In 2013, the IRS issued a summons to Chairman Colley Billie, demanding he provide information about tribal members in order to determine whether they reported per capita payments to the federal government. He has steadfastly refused, calling the matter one of internal governance and arguing that he lacked authority to release any records without approval of the entire general membership.

In August, a federal judge ordered Billie to comply with the summons. Again, he refused to release the information while he pursues the matter before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Briefing continues in the appeal but in the meantime government attorneys want Billie to be held in contempt for failing to follow the order. A hearing is scheduled for December 15.

Turtle Talk has posted documents from the case in federal court and from the case in the 11th Circuit, US v. Billie.

Get the Story:
Miccosukee Tribe Chairman Given Tax Docs Deadline (CBS / AP 12/8)
IRS seeks tax documents from Florida tribe chairman; Dec. 15 hearing set (AP 12/8)

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Judge threatens chairman of Miccosukee Tribe with daily fines (11/05)
IRS requests contempt order for chairman of Miccosukee Tribe (10/31)