Cedric Cromwell learned his fate for his conviction in accepting bribes on November 15. The former leader of the Mashpee Wampanoags, a Massachusetts Native American tribe, was sentenced to three years in prison.
Cromwell was found guilty of bribery and extortion charges in May. He still faces charges of filing a false tax return.
Cromwell accepted $10,000, exercise equipment and a stay in a luxury hotel from David DeQuattro, who owned an architecture and design firm that was involved in a casino project.
For his part in the scheme, DeQuattro was sentenced to a year of home confinement probation and a $50,000 fine.
The tribe is based in the Cape Cod area. Current Chair Brian Weeden wrote an impact statement to the court on behalf of the 2,600 tribe members.
“For over 400 years, the Tribe has fought to preserve its culture, lands and protect its people from constant exploitation and oppression,” Weeden wrote. “And yet, we are now facing the ultimate betrayal by one elected and entrusted to lead and act in the best interests of our Tribal Nation and future seven generations.”
Weeden added that tribal members suffered while Cromwell was taking money that should have gone to them and that they “struggled under the pressures of increased homelessness, unemployment, alcohol and opioid addiction, and other traumas.”
For his part, Cromwell, made an apology before he was sentenced.
“I will spend the rest of my life seeking redemption,” he said, the Boston Globe reported.
What this means for the proposed $1 billion casino is up in the air. The project is currently on hold.
