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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2001

Secretary of Interior Gale Norton shouldn't be held in contempt for her handling of the trust fund because doing so would be "remarkably unfair," her defense lawyer told The Denver Post

But Colorado attorney Herbert Fenster admits that the condition of the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust is "so bad" that no one knows exactly how bad it is. Yet the real culprit here is not Norton, who has a legal responsibility to the IIM account holders, it's the unnamed masses at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

"All bureaucracies are large and ponderous and move at glacial speed," Fenster told the paper. "But none of them are as bad as the Bureau of Indian Affairs."

Fenster is one of more than two dozen private lawyers hired by current and past government officials, management and attorneys to stem off contempt findings. Their legal fees, up to $125-an-hour, will be paid for by American taxpayers.

Get the Story:
Denver attorney to defend Norton in Indian-trust suit (The Denver Post 11/23)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Norton faces big week on trust (11/26)
Editorial: Give Norton plan a chance (11/26)

Relevant Links:
Office of the Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Trust Management Improvement Project - http://www.doi.gov/bia/trust/tmip.htm
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com

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