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Trial in Cobell trust fund case kicks off
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2003

Trial 1.5 in the Indian trust fund class action opened in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

The trial addresses two plans U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the government to submit. One is for an historical accounting of the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust and the other is for reform of the trust.

The plaintiffs are calling a series of witnesses to rebut the Department of Interior's proposals. The witnesses will also testify on the adequacy of an alternative for the accounting and a separate reform plan.

The trial is expected to last at least one month. It is a prelude to Trial 2, the final phase of the case, in which the plaintiffs have asked Lamberth to remedy the IIM account balances.

Get the Story:
Indian trust fund trial starts (Gannett News Service 5/2)
Native trust funds trial opens; judge skeptical of government claims (AP 5/2)
Indian trust accounting plans offered (The Daily Oklahoman 5/2)
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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