Facebook Twitter Email
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2003

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has finally gotten rid of famed chief Jim Billie.

The tribal council voted 4-0 to remove Billie. He had been suspended on allegations of misuse of tribal funds.

According to The St. Petersburg Times, tribal council members felt Billie lied to them about the funds when he testified in a federal case involving three former associates. The ex-employees were cleared of stealing from the tribe. Billie has never been charged.

According to the paper, Billie in a closed tribal council hearing / meeting last week said he used $80,000 in tribal funds to bail two of the ex-employees out of a jail in Nicaragua, where Billie opened a business to operate an Internet gambling site.

In total, Billie was charged with misusing upwards of $20 million.

Get the Story:
Seminole council fires James Billie as chairman (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 3/19)
Seminoles sack chairman James Billie (The St. Petersburg Times 3/19)

Relevant Links:
Seminole Tribe - http://www.seminoletribe.com

Related Stories:
Seminole Tribe holds hearing on Jim Billie (3/13)
Seminole Tribe moves to oust Billie for good (02/28)
Seminole Tribe seeks out of gaming deal (02/05)
Police renew interest in Seminole shooting (01/22)
Seminole's Billie promises daily visits (01/09)
Billie claims control of Seminole tribe (01/08)
Ex-Seminole workers freed of theft charges (12/18)
Billie testifies in tribal theft case (12/17)
Billie to show up for Seminole trial (12/13)
Lawyer: Billie offered to be questioned (12/11)
Trial: Seminole business documents faked (12/10)
Trial: Seminole worker tried to cut spending (12/6)
Seminole Tribe spent millions freely (12/5)
Seminole lawyer testifies in fraud case (12/4)
Trial: Billie oversaw tribal theft (12/3)
Seminole Tribe alleges breach of trust (11/13)
Ousted Seminole chief to repay tribe (08/21)
Indicted ex-worker challenged tribe (06/26)
Ex-tribal workers indicted for theft (6/25)
Seminole Tribe files $4 million suit (6/13)
Prisoner rats on ex-Seminole chief (6/3)
Seminole Tribe goes Hard Rock (5/14)
Seminole Tribe strikes casino deal (5/3)
Seminole attorney plans return to work (4/26)
Shot Seminole attorney recovering (4/25)
Shot Seminole lawyer said in hiding (2/4)
Seminole lawyer in critical condition (1/14)
Seminole Tribe hires top official (1/9)
Suit against Seminole Tribe dismissed (11/6)
Seminole chief said targeted in probe (10/5)
Billie reported under investigation (9/18)
BIA: Chief Billie suspension was illegal (9/11)
Chief Billie sued by Seminole Tribe (9/6)
In The Hoop: Indian firm get shout out (8/2)
Jim Billie drops lawsuit against tribe (6/20)
Tribe's business deal questioned (6/19)
Jury orders Seminole Tribe to pay $2M (6/8)
Seminole Tribe fires three (6/5)
FBI probes Chief Jim Billie gifts (5/31)
Chief Jim Billie says not finished (5/30)
Chief Jim Billie suspended (5/25)
Seminole Tribe elects council (5/17)
Tribe fires business manager (5/11)