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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2001

Against Secretary of Interior Gale Norton's wishes, the federal judge overseeing the Cobell v. Norton class action has unsealed an extremely scathing and damaging investigation into the computer security of all trust data.

According to special master Alan Balaran, the department has repeatedly told tribes and American Indians that protection of their assets was of the "highest priority" while allowing computer networks that housed the funds to lay in ruin. Along with computer security experts he hired, Balaran was able to create his own trust account without being noticed, break into TAAMS (Trust Asset and Accounting and Management System) and other trust systems using no passwords or simple passwords and, in general, access all of the Interior's computer servers.

"Rather than take any remedial actions, its senior management has resorted to the condescending refrain that has consistently insinuated itself into the federal government's relationship with Native Americans," wrote Balaran, "[a]nd that is one that requests forbearance and trust on the grounds that reform continues to be the 'highest priority.'"

"It is the view of the Special Master that, in this instance, such trust is not warranted," he concludes.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has scheduled a hearing tomorrow at 10 a.m. to consider shutting down the Interior's entire computer network in order to protect $3.1 billion in tribal and individual assets.

Get the Report:
Report and Recommendations of the Special Master Regarding the Security of Trust Data at the Department of the Interior (12/4)

Today on Indianz.Com:
McCaleb doubts tribal opposition (12/4)
Interior extends comment period (12/4)
Trust fund report still can't be found (12/4)
Tribal leaders worried about consultation (12/4)
Judge holding secret hearings (12/4)
GOP push may be tied to Indian preference (12/4)
Indian leader happy for contempt trial (12/4)

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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