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TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2002

Mississippi's Attorney General will no longer provide legal services to the Mississippi State Tax Commission in a dispute involving the Choctaw Tribe.

AG Mike Moore accused the commission of trying to "fabricate a case against the tribe," according to a letter quoted by The New York Times. The dispute involves the tribe's license for a car dealership, which the tax panel first denied, then granted and is now reconsidering,

The troubles come courtesy of a group of car dealers who are upset that the tribe might engage in competitive practices and beat them at their own game. The Mississippi Automobile Dealers' Association wants the tribe's internal records of in a case before the state Supreme Court.

Slade Gorton is the attorney for the association. He happens to work for the same law and lobbying firm which has represented the Choctaw Tribe.

Get the Story:
Off the Reservation, Onto the Dealer's Lot (The New York Times 5/14)
Username: indianz.com, Password: indianz.com
Auto dealers upset with Choctaws (The Gulfport Sun Herald 5/14)

Relevant Links:
Mississippi Band of Choctaws - http://www.choctaw.org/cover.html

Related Stories:
Ex-Choctaw lobbyist changes tack (5/9)
Tribe challenged by own law firm (5/7)
Choctaw Tribe's successes promoted (4/29)
No lemons for Miss. Choctaw (2/22)
Gorton takes job with law firm (4/12)
Campbell has role in other judgeships (3/02)
Action urged on Gorton judgeship (2/23)
Campbell's support of Gorton raises questions (2/16)
McCain opposes Gorton judgeship (2/15)