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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2002

"Clearly a double standard exists within the federal government. After all, had a private company been assigned to oversee the Indian’s Trust Accounts and failed to the same extent as the Interior Department, the federal government would likely have acted expeditiously. The company would be shut down and its executives hauled into court in handcuffs. Senate hearings would likely commence and CNN would be covering it "live." The president would stand before the media with thumbs in the air and declare that he is "reeling in corporate wrongdoers." God bless America!

But, because it is a federal agency that failed in this duty, the past (Democrat) and sitting (Republican) president both appear unwilling to hold their political appointees accountable.

Isn’t it hypocritical to ignore fiscal wrongdoings by federal employees in regards to Indians, while steadfastly prosecuting corporate heads of Enron, Anderson, Worldcom, etc., for related offenses involving shareholders? Moral, ethical and legal standards regarding fiduciary responsibilities should apply equally whether an individual is a federal employee or head of a private sector corporation. . ."

Get the Story:
Gary Moore: Interior's contempt confirms government double standard (Indian Country Today 11/26)

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

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17 months at arm's length (11/22)
End of road for Neal McCaleb (11/22)
Opinion: IIM lawsuit is about dignity (11/22)
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