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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2002

"Interior Secretary Gale Norton and an assistant secretary were enshrined yesterday in the Hall of Shame over the epic debacle of the Indian trust case.

A federal district judge concluded the pair committed four counts of fraud and held them in contempt of court. Judge Royce Lamberth also said they engaged in litigation misconduct.

No amount of patience or badgering has moved the government to account for billions of dollars of lease and royalty receipts collected on reservation land.

Maybe putting someone behind bars would get the attention of the Interior and Justice departments. How can the legal system tolerate dozens of government lawyers lying to the court? "

Get the Story:
Editorial: Indian trust liars should be sent to jail (The Seattle Times 9/18)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Norton 'unfit' to manage Indian trust (9/18)
Griles nearly perjured himself (9/18)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust
Trust Reform, NCAI - http://www.ncai.org/main/pages/
issues/other_issues/trust_reform.asp

Related Stories:
Norton found in contempt for trust fund (9/17)
Judge holds Norton in contempt (9/17)
Your Ultimate Guide to Contempt (9/5)