Federal government settles $18M case over abusive IHS doctor

The federal government finalized an $18 million settlement with 12 people abused by former Indian Health Service physician Dr. Stanley Patrick Weber in Montana and South Dakota, according to Montana Free Press. Weber worked on the Blackfeet Reservation from 1992 to 1995 and at Pine Ridge from 1995 to 2016. He was convicted in 2018 and 2019 of abusing Native boys and is serving multiple life sentences in federal prison.

A 2020 independent report found that several IHS leaders were aware of Weber’s behavior but failed to act. Blackfeet Tribal Councilmember Lyle Rutherford said the consequences of the abuse remain in the community, with some survivors facing mental health challenges and a loss of trust in IHS. “This whole Weber issue is still here,” Rutherford said. “I have constituents who are still worried for their children being serviced by IHS.”