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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2002

Residents of a Massachusetts town are accusing town leaders of trying delay a federal recognition decision for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, The Cape Cod Times reports.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is under court order to make a decision. But residents complain the town leaders have improperly used town funds to hire Hale & Dorr, a high-powered law firm based in Boston that fought the tribe's land claim during the 1970s.

The residents allege in a lawsuit that the law firm convinced the Department of Justice to delay the decision. The town denies that the firm is being retained for any reason except to provide advice on the impacts of federal recognition.

The BIA deadline is on hold pending an appeal.

Get the Story:
Town defends use of funds on tribe issue (The Cape Cod Times 10/30)

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Jump in recognition petitions noted (06/12)
BIA recognition staff fails pressure test (05/31)