Bush administration responds to Cobell $58B claim

Friday, April 11, 2008  

The Bush administration on Wednesday filed its response brief in the Cobell Indian trust fund case, calling the claim for $58 billion "unsound" and "absurd."

The Department of Justice said the Cobell plaintiffs should drop their case if they no longer want an historical accounting of the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust. Government attorneys also said the judge handling the case doesn't have authority to restore any sort of money to the trust accounts.

In January, Judge James Robertson ruled that the accounting was "impossible." He plans to hold a trial, starting June 9, to address a remedy for the plaintiffs.

Get the Story:
U.S. government rejects a $58B Indian payout (The Oklahoman 4/11)
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Historical Accounting Decision:
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (January 30, 2008)

Trial Transcripts:
Day 1 AM | Day 1 PM | Day 2 AM | Day 2 PM | Day 3 AM | Day 3 PM | Day 4 AM | Day 4 PM | Day 5 AM | Day 5 PM | Day 6 AM | Day 6 PM | Day 7 AM | Day 7 PM | Day 8 AM | Day 8 PM | Day 9 AM | Day 9 PM | Day 10 AM | Day 10 PM

Trial Order:
Cobell v. Kempthorne (April 20,2007)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Kempthorne - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm

Related Stories:
'Rough justice' seen in resolving Cobell case (4/7)
House panel threatens Cobell accounting cut (4/4)
Letter: A small spark of justice in Cobell case (3/31)
Cobell plaintiffs say $58B owed for Indian trust (3/21)
Cobell case set for resolution in court (3/6)
Judge sets June 9 trial to resolve Cobell case (3/5)
Judge to hold Cobell hearing this Wednesday (3/3)
Next hearing in Cobell case set for March 5 (02/21)
Resolution appears near in Cobell trust case (2/19)
Editorial: Settle 'botched' Indian trust fund (02/06)
Editorial: Settle the Indian trust fund lawsuit (2/4)
Kempthorne reiterates $7B Indian trust offer (2/1)
Editorial: A remedy for 'neglect' of Indian trust (2/1)
Cobell: 'Great day in Indian Country' (1/31)
Judge: Cobell historical accounting 'impossible' (1/30)
Cobell statement on historical accounting decision (1/30)
Jim Cason: Historical accounting facts (01/18)