DOI won't release Cason's performance evaluations

Friday, September 14, 2007  

The Interior Department is refusing to provide details about associate deputy secretary Jim Cason's job performance evaluations, Indian Country Today reports.

The Schaghticoke Tribal Nation of Connecticut requested Cason's evaluations for 2004 and 2005. At first, Interior rejected the request but reconsidered and decided to give the tribe copies.

But all of the substantive information was redacted, the tribe said in its court case against Interior. The tribe wants a federal judge to order the department to release unredacted copies of Cason's evaluations.

The tribe is going after Cason because he signed the decision that denied the tribe federal recognition. The tribe contends he was improperly influenced by political factors.

The tribe also contends Cason's decision violates federal law because he is not a presidential appointee who was confirmed by the Senate. Cason had authority over all Indian matters for more than a year since the Bureau of Indian Affairs lacked a leader.

Get the Story:
Schaghticoke seek Interior official's job evaluations (Indian Country Today 9/14)
Interior's James Cason under examination (Indian Country Today 9/14)

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (May 2005)

Relevant Links:
Schaghticoke Tribal Nation - http://www.schaghticoke.com
Interior Board of Indian Appeals Decisions - http://www.ibiadecisions.com

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