The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed the right of members of the Navajo Nation to seek an accounting of their trust funds.

The state of Utah manages oil and gas royalties for Navajos who live in San Juan County. The Utah Navajo Trust Fund has been subject of at least three prior lawsuits.

The 10th Circuit said the state must account for the funds despite the earlier litigation. Tribal members claim about $150 million in mismanagement.

The state has completed a partial accounting but wanted the court to limit its role. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is possible.

Get the Story:
Court: Start poring through 50 years of records or appeal (The Salt Lake City Deseret News 9/5)
Appeals court says state must account for Navajo oil money (The Salt Lake Tribune 9/4)

10th Circuit Decision:
Pelt v. Utah (September 3, 2008)

Related Stories:
House Resources hearing on Utah Navajo trust fund (6/19)
House Resources hearing on Utah Navajo trust fund (6/13)
Judge limits Utah's role in managing Navajo trust (3/18)
Navajos concerned about Utah trust legislation (03/04)
Utah Navajo trust fund accounting report due (02/01)
Utah House passes bill to relinquish Navajo trust (01/24)
Utah Navajos seek extension for state trust fund (12/04)
Editorial: Utah should pull out of Navajo trust (11/16)
Utah seeks to pull out of Navajo trust fund (11/14)
Navajos in Utah fight state over trust mismanagement (3/6)
Federal judge advances Navajo trust fund lawsuit (1/12)
Navajo trust fund case moves forward (6/11)