Ray Joseph, the senior-most trust reform official at the Interior Department, resigned unexpectedly, Indian Country Today reports.

Joseph had been in charge of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians since January 2011. Although he was only a career official, he was the highest-ranking trust reform official because President Barack Obama has failed to nominate anyone to lead the OST.

The Obama administration isn't planning to fill the position any time soon, either. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has said the White House plans to wait until the settlement to the Indian trust fund lawsuit, which might not happen until later this year due to appeals in the federal court system.

Michele Singer, another career employee, is now in charge of trust reform as the new principal deputy trustee, a DOI spokesperson told ICT.

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Indian Trust Official, Ray Joseph, Exits Interior (Indian Country Today 1/18)

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