Rep. Tiffany Calls on DOJ to Secure Reimbursement for the Town of Lac du Flambeau

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging the Department of Justice to ensure the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians reimburses the town of Lac du Flambeau for their “illegal shakedown.” 

On January 31, 2023, the tribal government blocked public access to four roads, going so far as to construct roadblocks. These barricades stranded residents, cut off access to critical medications, and created a dangerous situation for emergency services. Tribal leaders then demanded an astonishing $20 million from the town. To restore access, the town was forced to pay over $600,000 in monthly installments to the Tribe, payments Congressman Tiffany has called “extortion.” Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Conley permanently barred the United States and the Lac du Flambeau Tribe from restricting access to the four disputed roads. 

Tiffany states in the letter, “Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Conley ruled that the homeowners have a right to access these roads, which were listed on the National Tribal Transportation Inventory list at the time the illegal barricades went up. President Biden’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) subsequently removed the roads from the inventory in March 2023, an action that Judge Conley ruled was also a violation of the law.”

“I am asking the Department of Justice to investigate this matter and seek compensation from the tribal government to reimburse the town. Not only did the town hand over in excess of $600,000 as part of this illegal shakedown, it also incurred significant legal expenses and administrative costs associated with responding to the actions of tribal leaders and the Biden administration’s BIA. The town of Lac du Flambeau – a small community with a population of just over 3,000 people – saw its finances pushed to the absolute limit by the unlawful standoff created by the reckless and irresponsible actions of the tribal government. It is only fair that as the instigators of this unnecessary dispute, the tribe be held accountable,” Tiffany concluded.

You can read the full letter here.

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