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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2002

The following is a text of a letter Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) sent to Attorney General John Ashcroft. February 28, 2002.

The Honorable John Ashcroft
Attorney General
950 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington DC 20530

Dear Mr. Attorney General:

Late yesterday I received a report from the Department of the Interior’s inspector general regarding the federal tribal recognition process. As you know, last year I requested that the IG conduct a sweeping investigation into the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) after a series of articles in the Boston Globe, which raised a number of questions about the actions of two political appointees at the BIA.

The report confirmed my suspicions that the federal tribal recognition process has been compromised and more specifically it documented the serious misconduct of Clinton political appointees at BIA. The IG’s report notes that the Department of Justice has, to date, declined to prosecute individuals despite clear evidence of illegal activity. I implore you to reevaluate this decision.

I commend the Bush Administration for rescinding the six tribal recognitions which took place in the final days of the Clinton Administration, as it has become increasingly clear that in an unprecedented move, the recommendations of the Branch of Acknowledgement and Research experts at BIA were simply being ignored.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter which concerns the very integrity of our government. Best wishes.

Sincerely,

Frank R. Wolf
Member of Congress

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Ashcroft urged to charge BIA officials (3/1)