CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A university in West Virginia has been fined $4,999 for failing to complete inventories of American Indian remains and artifacts in its possession.
The U.S. Department of the Interior notified Marshall University President Jerome Gilbert of the fine in a letter this week.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter, which said Marshall officials knew about the requirements of a 1990 federal law but failed to complete the inventories until long after a deadline.
Marshall has 45 days to pay or appeal.
University spokeswoman Ginny Painter said the university would pay the fine.
“The university is actively continuing the process of completing all necessary NAGPRA requirements and looks forward to a successful conclusion to this matter,” Painter said in a statement.
The fine is one of the largest assessed for violations of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
