Tribal chairman granted income-tax extension

The chairman of the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians has been granted an extension to file past-due federal income tax returns.

U.S. District Judge Bruce Jenkins continued Leon D. Bear's motion to extend until Feb. 10 so the chairman would have time to access tribal records held by federal authorities.

The records were seized using a search warrant in 2003 and have been held since as evidence for another investigation, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Diamond.

Bear was sentenced in federal court last June to pay the Internal Revenue Service $13,101 in unpaid taxes. He was also ordered to pay $31,500 to the tribe for duplicate stipends he billed the tribe.

Bear's attorney, Joseph Thibodeau, said Bear needed the records to file returns for the years 1999 to 2001. Bear was also placed on three years probation. He said Bear had recently filed tax returns for 2003 and 2004.

Bear's term as chairman expired last year. He recently canceled tribal elections for the fourth time.