"When Congress at long last approved a $3.4 billion settlement last year to Natives for the shameful way it handled their trust accounts for more than a century, it seemed that all that remained was for the government to start writing checks.

Experts estimated that the average size of the checks would be about $1,800. Many, including plaintiff Elouise Cobell of Montana's Blackfeet Nation, felt that the amount was far less than was owed, but the possibility of a larger settlement seemed slim to nonexistent. The settlement won support from the National Congress of American Indians.

Now the settlement has been stalled for a reason that is old as time.

Greed.

The attorneys in the case assured Congress that their fees in the case that dragged on for 15 years, would be in the range of $50 million to $99.9 million.

Now, the attorneys want to more than double that amount to $223 million. If they are successful in the attempt, the amount that goes to tribes would be reduced."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Attorney fee request out of line (The Lincoln Journal Star 4/13)

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