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MONDAY, JULY 28, 2003

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued "bogus contempt citations" against Secretary of Interior Gale Norton that were rightly overturned by an appeals court, The Denver Rocky Mountain News says in an editorial.

"We never understood how Norton could be held responsible for acts that occurred before she even took office, and we're glad the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit last week agreed," the paper says.

The paper also notes the removal of legislation that would have effectively ended the trust fund lawsuit. "The provision removed from the appropriations bill should serve as a warning to Lamberth to dispense with the antics and move constructively toward a settlement," the paper says.

Since the case is before Lamberth, and not a jury, he cannot be involved in settlement talks.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Time to settle Indian claims (The Denver Rocky Mountain News 7/27)

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

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