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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2001

Ousted Seminole Chief Jim Billie is under investigation by a grand jury on charges of embezzlement, a lawyer for the Florida Tribe has told the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The tribe is seeking to prevent Billie from resuming power. The council has suspended him awaiting results of a probe into sexual harassment charges.

After initially saying suspension was not lawful, the BIA has taken itself out of the dispute. The BIA says the matter must be handled internally first.

Billie has come under fire within his own tribe for a number of financial deals in Latin and South America. Two former business partners and associates of the tribe have been deported from Nicaragua, where Billie has invested tribal money.

The tribe has filed suit against Billie, alleging he misused funds.

Get the Story:
Letter claims Seminole leader target of probe (The St. Petersburg Times 9/17)
Seminole portfolio at center of strife (The Miami Herald 9/17)

Relevant Links:
The Seminole Tribe - http://www.seminoletribe.com
Chief Jim Billie - http://www.chiefjimbillie.com

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

Related Stories:
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)
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