Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) denies she broke a court order that bars lobbying the Interior Department on the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation's bid for federal recognition.

Rell admits she spoke with Interior Secretary Gale Norton about the recognition process but that she didn't try to influence a decision on the Schaghticokes. Rell also denies working on behalf of Town Action to Save Kent, a group that is fighting the tribe's recognition. TASK claimed it had "placed two items on the Governor's talking agenda" for the Norton meeting, The Waterbury Republican-American reported.

A federal judge has imposed a no-contact order on parties involved in the recognition case. State attorney general Richard Blumenthal has previously been found to have violated the order for meeting with Norton without notifying the other parties.

Get the Story:
Schaghticoke claim Rell influenced reversal of recognition (The Waterbury Republican-American 8/24)

IBIA Decisions:
Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation | Schaghticoke Tribal Nation

Only on Indianz.Com:
Federal Recognition Database V2.0 (July 2004)

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

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