Sovereign immunity gives the tribe status as a nation and immunity from certain legal challenges.
It also grants the tribe responsibility for its own laws. O'Donnell, who is not a tribal member, worked for the tribe from 1982 until 2000. She started as administrative assistant for the executive administrator and eventually rose to director of administration. Billie would coerce the tribe's female employees into having sex with him, the suit alleges. Billie is the elected chairman of a five-person tribal council that oversees five Seminole reservations in Florida, including one in Tampa.