Judge approves USDA, Indian fa

By MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge has approved a $680 million settlement between the Agriculture Department and American Indian farmers who say they were denied loans because of discrimination.

The two sides agreed on the deal last year subject to court approval. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan approved the terms Thursday.

Individuals who can prove discrimination could receive up to $250,000.The agreement also includes $80 million in farm debt forgiveness for the Indian plaintiffs and a series of initiatives to try and alleviate racism against American Indians and other minorities in rural farm loan offices.

The lawsuit was filed in 1999 and contends Indian farmers and ranchers lost hundreds of millions of dollars over several decades. The government settled a similar lawsuit filed by black farmers more than a decade ago.