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THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2003

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth on Wednesday denied the Bush administration's attempt to limit reimbursement to two court investigators who have been critical of the Department of Interior's trust reform efforts.

Special master Alan Balaran and special master-monitor Joseph S. Kieffer III were the subject of an appropriations bill that purports limits their payments. The House lawmakers responsible for the provision contend the two are getting paid too much.

But Lamberth said the government is still on the hook for making the payments. If the Interior doesn't pay, then the Treasury has to, he wrote in his decision.

Get the Story:
Judge berates Norton motion (The Farminton Daily Times 5/22)
Judge Calls Interior Dept. 'Underhanded' (AP 5/21)

Get the Decision:
Memorandum and Court Order (May 21, 2003)

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

Related Stories:
Appeals court halts work of trust fund master (04/25)
Spending bill keeps provisions affecting Cobell (02/14)
Lamberth tempted by disqualification campaign (01/21)
White House embroiled in trust fund mess (07/31)
Slonaker doesn't want to fire advisers (07/26)
Trust debate centers on budget (7/19)
House clears DOI budget bill (7/18)
Rahall statement on trust fund (7/18)
House vote a victory on trust fund (7/18)
Debate rages on Interior bill (7/17)
White House approved DOI spending bill (7/17)
House trust fund bill opposed (7/15)
Norton's accounting funds limited (6/28)