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MONDAY, JULY 14, 2003

A House subcommittee drafted a forced settlement of the Indian trust in order to "send a little message" to U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, James V. Grimaldi of The Washington Post reports.

In the "Hearsay" column for lawyers, Grimaldi says the provision will likely be stricken from the Department of Interior's fiscal year 2004 appropriations bill. The House Resources Committee last week asserted jurisdiction over the matter.

Grimaldi recounts Lamberth's reaction to another spending provision that purports to limit compensation to court officials. Lamberth criticized it as interference from the legislative branch.

The Bush administration supports another provision that pays private attorney fees for current and former officials. So far, the Interior has paid $3.8 million to 54 law firms defending 80 people involved in the Cobell suit.

Get the Story:
Hearsay: American Indian Trust Case Has Federal Judge in a Lather (The Washington Post 7/14)

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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