Tim DeChristopher

Tim DeChristopher was an environmental activist who attempted to bid on disputed parcels of public land during a Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease auction in an attempt to protect the land from oil drilling. DeChristopher was immediately arrested at the auction and charged with making false statements and violating the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act. A month later a federal judge voided the auction after ruling that it was held illegally by Bush Administration officials who were hoping to lease the disputed land before the arrival of the new administration.