Well you see, the Mauists started gaining power in the Nepali government in the late 90s (our late 90s). They took to murdering Sherpas in a style similar to Pol Pot and so many of them began fleeing the country. And as it happens, many of them setup shop in Queens.

9/11 had a pretty massive effect on the NY economy in general and so housing prices fell right when the fleeing Nepali Sherpa started arriving.

So you see, it all connects. It was in their interest to stay silent.