Billy Cypress, the chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida. Photo from Florida FOLK SHOW / Facebook
The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida has reached a settlement with its former attorneys. The tribe will pay $4 million to Guy Lewis and Michael Tein, The Miami Herald reported. The tribe had accused them of fraud and racketeering in lawsuits that were essentially deemed frivolous. Lewis is a former U.S. Attorney for Florida and Tein is a former federal prosecutor. They represented the tribe in numerous high-profile matters, including a dispute over taxes allegedly owed on per capita payments. The tribe has been on the losing side of the tax issue and even accused former chairman Billy Cypress of conspiring with Lewis and Tein in another lawsuit that was dismissed. Cypress returned to power in March. Get the Story:
Miccosukees to pay $4M to former lawyers over frivolous lawsuits (The Miami Herald 5/20) 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision:
Cypress v. United States (March 23, 2016) More 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Decisions:
Miccosukee Tribe v. Cypress (December 22, 2015)
US v. Billie (June 1, 2015)
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