Invesitgation: Fraud in New Mexico

by Scott Patterson
SmartMoney.com

An investigation by SmartMoney.com has found that officials in the Bush administration had detailed knowledge of fraudulent practices that allowed energy companies to cheat impoverished Native American Indians out of vast sums over dozens of years. These officials were aware that employees of the federal government were helping oil and gas companies underpay to operate on Indian lands in the state of New Mexico — and did nothing to stop it. This is the first in a two-part series.

ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN August, Air Force One ascended above the town of Farmington, N.M. Enthusiastic supporters of the president fanned out of Rickets Park in the center of town waving Bush-Cheney placards. The police cars and motorcycles blocking the streets from traffic during George W. Bush's brief visit switched off their lights and drove away. Normalcy returned to Farmington.

For Ervin Chavez, president of the Shii Shi Keyah Allottee Association (shii shi keyah is Navajo for "this is my land"), normalcy means another day fighting against the federal government and big industry for Native American rights. In his darker moods, he despairs that it's a fight he'll never win.


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