Tribe must disclose records to IRS

MIAMI (AP) – A Florida Indian tribe has been ordered by a federal judge to turn over financial records to the IRS in a probe involving gambling profits.

U.S. District Judge Alan S. Gold agrees that the IRS can obtain the Miccosukee tribe records from entities such as Morgan Stanley and Citibank. Gold rejected the tribe's contention that as a sovereign nation the records were protected from scrutiny.

Court documents show the IRS is examining whether the tribe failed to report income and withhold taxes on millions of dollars in gambling profits distributed each year to tribal members. The probe covers the years between 2006 and 2009.

The Miccosukees say the IRS is overreaching its government authority. The tribe says it will continue to fight to protect its sovereignty.