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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2001

In an editorial today, The Denver Post criticizes the Department of Interior for showing "bad faith" to 300,000 American Indians and for wasting millions and millions in tax dollars.

"At every turn, Interior has lied to the court and misled Congress, all the while dragging its feet on trust fund reform," writes the paper. "Interior's broken promises and wasteful expenditures have demonstrated plain bad faith."

The paper criticizes government lawyers for waiting until the last minute to to challenge reports by court monitor Joseph S. Kieffer. Theirs tactic are delaying an historical accounting to Indian account holders, the paper says.

"Instead of giving its lawyers permission to play college debate team on Uncle Sam's nickel, Interior Secretary Gale Norton should order the department's accountants to reconcile at least some of trust funds," says the paper.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Interior's bad faith (The Denver Post 12/13)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://indiantrust.doi.gov
Office of the Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Trust Management Improvement Project - http://www.doi.gov/bia/trust/tmip.htm
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com

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