STATEMENT OF PETER KEISLER, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
FOR THE CIVIL DIVISION ON TODAY’S COURT OF APPEALS RULING
IN THE COBELL INDIAN TRUST FUND CASE

“Today, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in the Cobell Indian Trust Fund case reversed the district court’s contempt ruling against Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, Neal McCaleb. At the same time, the appeals court also ordered the lower court to vacate the appointment of Special Master Joseph Kieffer.

“We are pleased that the court of appeals took note of the significant positive steps taken by Secretary Norton to address the issues presented in this case and that the court vacated the unwarranted contempt rulings against the Secretary and Mr. McCaleb.”

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03-409