Sept. 29–The ouster of James Billie, the chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, could further complicate the state's gambling industry, already mired in legislative and legal battles that have taken an economic toll at Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The tribe removed Billie from office Wednesday in a Tribal Council vote that took many by surprise. The tight-lipped tribe released a statement saying only that the action came in response to a recall petition that "cited various issues and procedures of the Chairman's Office."

"The tribe considers this an internal matter and is not going to be more specific or elaborate beyond what was said yesterday," said Gary Bitner, a spokesman for the tribe.

Florida lawmakers and the tribe have been in a standoff over a gambling agreement known as a "compact" that would spell out what type of Las Vegas-style games would be allowed and the state's cut of the proceeds.

When a proposed compact backed by Gov. Rick Scott died in this year's legislative session, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino scuttled $1.8 billion worth of expansion projects at its Tampa and Hollywood facilities.

At the Orient Road complex in Tampa, plans called for a second 500-room hotel tower to complement the existing 244 rooms; a music venue seating 1,500 to 2,000 fans; new banquet and meeting facilities; a new restaurant and lobby bar; and remodeling of the existing Hard Rock Cafe. The construction tab for Tampa alone would have hit $650 million.

The Hard Rock said in June it is going ahead with some improvements in Tampa, including an additional parking garage with 750 spaces, a 30,000 square foot premium gaming area, a 50-table poker room, a new restaurant and other amenities. But the new plans were a fraction of the original expansion project.

It's not known how a new leader might affect negotiations over a compact. One insider said he found the tribe in solidarity on the issue that lifted its members out of poverty.

"Their issue with the state is pretty solid," said Udy Epstein, a filmmaker who shot Wrestling Alligators, a documentary on Billie and his role in expanding Indian gaming. "The governor wanted to sign a compact. The tribe is in a very solid position."

Epstein said Billie told him he would run for re-election, which he is allowed to do under tribal law.

Lawsuits by both the state and the tribe have been consolidated into a case scheduled to begin Monday in federal court in Tallahassee.

Contact Jerome R. Stockfisch at [email protected].