Jicarilla Apache Nation wins $21M award over breach of trust

Tuesday, June 25, 2013  

The federal government owes the Jicarilla Apache Nation of New Mexico $21 million for breach of trust, a federal judge ruled on Monday.

The tribe accused the Bureau of Indian Affairs of mismanaging its trust funds. The lawsuit sought damages of more than $100 million for the years 1974 through 1992.

Judge Francis M. Allegra of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims agreed that the BIA "grossly mismanaged" the tribe's funds. But he said the amount owed was a little over $21 million.

"Plaintiff has demonstrated that, during the period from February 22, 1974, to September 30, 1992, defendant breached its fiduciary duties to the Nation by mismanaging the Nation’s trust assets and other funds," the decision stated.

Get the Story:
Court rules in Jicarilla funds case (The Albuquerque Journal 6/25)

Court of Federal Claims Decision:
Jicarilla Apache Nation v. US (June 24, 2013)

Supreme Court issues decision in Jicarilla Apache Nation case (6/13)