Law

Miccosukee Tribe accuses another law firm of taking millions

The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida filed a lawsuit against a law firm on Monday, accusing its attorneys of running a multimillion dollar scheme.

The lawsuit says Guy Lewis, a former U.S. Attorney, and Michael Tein, another former federal prosecutor, charged excessive fees to the tribe and its members. It's the second time the tribe has accused its legal representation of fraud -- a similar suit is pending against Dexter Lehtinen, another former U.S. Attorney.

The tribe “was lured into unnecessarily paying millions of dollars in legal fees that were excessive and unreasonable, for work that was fictitious, improperly created, unsubstantiated and which did not achieve any reasonable benefit," according to the complaint that was filed in state court.

Lewis and Tein are currently representing two tribal members who were ordered to pay $3.2 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. The opposing counsel has produced documents that indicate the tribe itself paid for the work by Lewis and Tein.

Get the Story:
Miccosukee Indian Tribe alleges ‘fraud’ in legal malpractice suit against former Miami U.S. attorney and law partner (The Miami Herald 4/2)

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