Attorney in Indian mismanagement case says Congress can’t change terms of $3.4B settlement

Attorney: Congress can’t change Indian settlement

HELENA, Mont. — The plaintiffs’ attorney in a proposed $3.4 billion settlement against the government for mismanaging Indian trust funds says Congress can’t change the terms of the agreement.

Dennis Gingold says the proposed settlement will be terminated and the case will go back to litigation if Congress doesn’t approve the agreement by May 28 or attempts to change any part of it.

Gingold was responding to comments last week by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., who says he thinks attorney fees in the case should be capped at $50 million.

The proposed settlement in the 14-year class-action lawsuit calls for most of the 300,000 plaintiffs to each receive at least $1,500.