State to pay ex-tribal officials $232K for tax feud

Friday, January 26, 2007  

The state of New Mexico has agreed to pay four former officials of Nambe Pueblo $232,500 to settle a lawsuit over taxation.

The four men contended the state Taxation and Revenue Department erroneously hit them with a $4.7 million tax assessment for a gas station that was operating on the reservation. They say the state went after them to pressure the tribe into closing the business.

The case never went to trial but Harold Porter, James Porter, Tony Vigil and David Perez feel vindicated by the settlement. They say their credit was ruined due to the tax bills and liens place on their property.

Get the Story:
Ex-Nambe officials get money, apology in state tax case (The Santa Fe New Mexican 1/26)
pwpwd
State Settles Nambe Tax Suit (The Albuquerque Journal 1/26)

Related Stories:
New Mexico hit Pueblo leaders with $4.7M tax bill (05/25)
Distribution company pleads guilty for selling to tribe (5/19)
Court bars state from imposing gas tax on tribe (08/13)
BIA upholds cancellation of tribe's contract (8/7)
Pueblo agrees to stop distributing gasoline (4/9)
Court halts tax on tribe (5/18)
Winnebago leaders ordered arrested (4/12)
Fight expected over gas taxes (4/11)
Winnebago Tribe's gas trucks seized (4/10)