The Department of Interior's Inspector General has interviewed Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal and at least one local official as part of its probe into the recognition of the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation.
The state contends lobbying and gaming money influence recognition decisions at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Blumenthal claims the investigation will examine the influence of lobbyists.
In January, principal deputy assistant secretary Aurene Martin issued a final determination to recognize the tribe, reversing an earlier negative proposed finding. She did so by relying on the state's historic recognition of the tribe to patch up holes in the record.
At a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Martin said she has been delegated all federal recognition duties. She said assistant secretary Dave Anderson recused himself due to his past involvement with gaming and casino companies.
Get the Story:
Indian Affairs Decision On Schaghticokes Probed
(The Hartford Courant 4/23)
pwpwd
Inspector general investigates Schaghticoke decision
Friday, April 23, 2004
Trending in News
1 Tribes rush to respond to new coronavirus emergency created by Trump administration
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'
2 'At this rate the entire tribe will be extinct': Zuni Pueblo sees COVID-19 cases double as first death is confirmed
3 Arne Vainio: 'A great sickness has been visited upon us as human beings'
4 Arne Vainio: Zoongide'iwin is the Ojibwe word for courage
5 Cayuga Nation's division leads to a 'human rights catastrophe'