WASHINGTON - A federal judge has ruled that American Indian plaintiffs are entitled to $455 million in a long-running trust case, a fraction of the $47 billion they wanted.
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But U.S. District Judge James Robertson did not say how the government should award the money, writing that his opinion "leaves for another day the question of how and to whom the award should be distributed."
Robertson's final number is close to government estimates and far from the billions sought by plaintiffs in the 12-year trial. The lawsuit — filed on behalf of a half-million American Indians and their heirs — claims they were swindled out of billions of dollars in oil, gas, grazing, timber and other royalties overseen by the Interior Department since 1887.
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If the Treasury Department has been using the money for all these years instead of having to borrowing money, then it would be benefiting only the Trustee all these years since the Trust began in 1887. How could the Judge come up with only $445 Million???
I would agree with you Louise from Edmond America. Who would really know what is owed? But it seems to begin with as many IIM landholders the 455 is only a drop in bucket.Lets a scenario, If there is a million Landholders only 455 will be distributed each. don't make seem right.Jackson
I would agree with you Louise from Edmond America. Who would really know what is owed? But it seems to begin with as many IIM landholders the 455 is only a drop in bucket.Lets a scenario, If there is a million Landholders only 455 will be distributed each. don't make seem right.Jackson
In view of the Supreme Court decision regarding the settlement over the Exxon Valdez oil spill, this seems consistant. Was the federal judge involved a Bush appointee?
That is only a small percentage of the amount owed.The 455 million should be the first installment of a 100+ for the figures to be near today's money value plus 120 year's interest. The same way the government charges aka legal organized crime ,and what is worse you support these action's among other's as a society
John and John, Native American are 17.5% less alcoholic than the general US population. We are also the poorest demographic by far. So, more money?? I tell you we'll trade all the land and recources for casinos? Ignorant people like you are the problem. Many of the states tribes employ many white Okies and I do know you are white. We do need more money fro health care, schools, preschools, college tuition etc... We give plenty to the state throught title 9, revenue shaing fromthe casinos and genreal help with fire trucks for rural communities that cannot afford it. Our people bring in tourism to this state, so on and so forth. We give this state identity. We are 2% of the populations and 50% of the diversity in this country. So please keep your stereotypes to yourself.
I love you Kristie, thanks for saying something. I was lured to this state for a high paying job and have been sickened by the racism I have found here.
Ridiculous, stereotyping, suburbia living, typical, "white guy" comments. I am embarrassed to check off the same "ethnicity" box as you fools. Step outside of Edmond, America for one day and live on a reservation, or the ghetto, or anywhere that takes you out of your pinnacle little world, and we will see how high up on that horse you remain.
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Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.