The federal judge handling the Indian trust fund lawsuit said on Thursday that he expects to issue a final ruling by mid-July.

Judge James Robertson convened a trial to determine how much money, if any, is owed to Indian beneficiaries for the federal government's failure to complete a historical accounting of their trust funds. The plaintiffs claim $58 billion in restitution while the Department of Justice says very little money is at issue.

The trial began June 9 in the federal district courthouse in Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs rested their primary case on June 11 and the government rested its defense yesterday.

The parties will be back in court next Tuesday, when the plaintiffs will present one witness for rebuttal. Both sides will also present closing arguments.

Get the Story:
Cobell lawsuit: Government owes tribal members $58B (The Journal Record 6/20)
Decision nears in Cobell Settlement Case as Expectations by Some Account Holders Fall Short (The Native American Times 6/19)

Trial Transcripts:
June 9 AM | June 9 PM | June 10 AM | June 10 PM | June 11 | June 12 AM | June 12 PM | June 16 AM | June 16 PM | June 17 AM | June 17 PM | June 18 AM

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