USDA Discrimination Case Close to Settlement

The Native American discrimination case against the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Keepseagle v. Vilsack is close to settlement, according to Jerry Hagstrom of Congress Daily.

Keepseagle v. Vilsack is a class action suit which alleges that the USDA discriminated against Native Americans in their applications for farm loans and loan servicing with USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Recently, at a status hearing on the case, counsel for the plaintiffs told Judge Emmet Sullivan that he believes final approval for the settlement agreement is near.  Another status hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19, 2010.

The case began in 1997 "when ranchers George and Marilyn Keepseagle of Fort Yates, North Dakota, believed federal farm officials had not fairly decided on their loan application.  The Keepseagles alleged that the USDA's farm loan program forced them to sell 380 acres of family land in 1999, creating financial problems and pushing them into foreclosure."  The lawsuit was filed in November 1999 and "asks for compensation for Native Americans who were denied loans or debt servicing by the USDA between 1981 and 1999."

To read the Congress Daily story, click here.
To read the Allgov.com story, click here.

Posted: 10/18/2010