Washington ? The federal government has to pay up to $7 million on behalf of half a million American Indians.

A judge on Monday ordered the government to pay the legal fees and expenses in an ongoing class-action lawsuit on behalf of half a million American Indians.

The suit accuses the Interior Department of not properly compensating Indians for oil and gas production on their land, alleging government mismanagement of more than $100 billion in royalties dating back to 1887.

The government had opposed the award, saying the request for the money was poorly documented and excessive. The Indians had asked for $14.5 million. The judge agreed with part of the government’s argument, saying there was insufficient detail to justify some of the request.