The flag of the Seminole Tribe. Image from Florida Heritage

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused a petition in Seminole Tribe v. Florida, a dispute involving gas taxes paid by the Seminole Tribe to the state of Florida.

In May 2014, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the tribe could not sue the state due to sovereign immunity. The tribe was seeking a refund on taxes paid on fuel that was purchased off the reservation.

"An Indian tribe can sue a state and its departments in federal court only if Congress has validly abrogated the immunity of the state or if the state has waived its immunity, but neither of those conditions has occurred here," the 11th Circuit wrote at the time.

The tribe asked the high court to review the case. But the justices, without comment, denied the request in an order on Monday.

Get the Story:
State gets win in tax dispute with Seminole tribe (The News Service of Florida 1/13)
State Wins Tax Dispute With Seminole Tribe (CBS Miami 1/13)

11th Circuit Decision:
Seminole Tribe v. Florida (May 5, 2014)

Related Stories:
11th Circuit stops Seminole Tribe from suing state over fuel tax (05/06)