[Liability of Bureau of Indian Affairs for Interest on Individual Indian Monies]

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) requested a decision on the propriety of paying individual Indian account owners for lost interest income. Tribal representatives contended that BIA was liable due to its mismanagement of the funds. GAO held that BIA was not liable to the account owners because there was no law requiring payment of interest on those accounts. Accordingly, BIA and tribal representatives should seek legislative settlement of any such claims.