Plaintiffs and attorneys in the Keepseagle lawsuit. Photo by Native Sun News
A federal judge is weighing an agreement that would result in the distribution of $380 million in leftover funds from the Keepseagle settlement. According to The Washington Post, the compromise would send another round of cash and tax payments to people who already received a share of the settlement. The value of the payments would total $77 million, the paper said. Another $38 million would go to nonprofit groups chosen by attorneys for the plaintiffs, the paper reported. The rest would go to a trust that would determine how to spend the money. Judge Emmet Sullivan -- who previously described the situation as a "monumental" failure -- heard from supporters and opponents of the proposal in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. He's also received 300 comments -- most of them in opposition to the compromise, the Post reported. The Obama administration reached the settlement in October 2010 to address discrimination at the Department of Agriculture. It included $680 million in payments to Indian farmers and ranchers and an $80 million loan forgiveness fund. Get the Story:
Judge weighs fate of $380 million left over in 2010 Native American farm suit (The Washington Post 2/5) Settlement Documents:
Plaintiffs Press Release | Settlement | Notice Form A | Notice Form B
Damages Award | Loan Debt Relief | Native American Farmers and Ranchers Council | Named Plaintiffs | President Obama Statement | USDA Press Release
Join the Conversation
Related Stories:Judge can't reopen Keepseagle case after $380M goes unspent (07/27)
Marshall Matz: Fight for $380M in Keepseagle funds continues (07/01)
Indian farmers rally over $380M in unspent Keepseagle funds (6/29)
Indian farmers protest foundation with $380M Keepseagle funds (12/04)
Keepseagle plaintiffs oppose use of $380M to create foundation (09/30)
Native Sun News: Indian farmers question Keepseagle attorneys (08/22)
Details announced for meetings about $380M Keepseagle fund (07/17)
Keepseagle attorneys schedule meetings to discuss $380M fund (7/8)
USDA questions plan to create $380M Keepseagle foundation (09/18)
Opinion: Keepseagle foundation boosts farmers and ranchers (9/13)
Choctaw Nation seeks $58.5M from Keepseagle for foundation (9/6)
Keepseagle foundation would share $380M with Indian Country (9/3)
Magazine: Farmers hope for new era with USDA settlement (8/27)
Most of Indian farmer discrimination settlement goes unspent (04/26)