A federal grand jury has reportedly subpoenaed financial records from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts as part of an investigation that the tribe is not at the center of.
The Republican reported that this news was given to Mashpee tribal members during a Zoom meeting with attorneys on June 23. Federal prosecutors have told tribal members the “tribe is not the target of the investigation,” said the paper.
The tribe was sent this letter by U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling: “Pursuant to an official investigation conducted by a federal Grand Jury in the District of Massachusetts of suspected violations of federal criminal law, you are directed to furnish to the Grand Jury the documents described in the attached subpoena.”
Grand Jury deliberations are secret and usually only result in announcements if an indictment is forthcoming.
A year ago another grand jury subpoenaed records from the tribe’s treasurer, Gordon Harris, and former treasurer, Robert Hendricks.
The tribe is attempting to keep land in Taunton in trust for a casino and tribal operations. In 2016 a federal judge ordered its construction of the Casino First Light halted. Construction has not resumed.
Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell has been the target of attempts by tribal members to remove him for his handling of tribal finances. The attempted removal occurred last year. The recall election that had been scheduled was cancelled. The tribe has a $500 million debt it owes to the Genting Group in connection with the casino that it wants to complete building.
Cromwell’s immediate predecessor Glenn Marshal served several years in federal prison on corruption charges, including embezzlement, filing false tax returns and receiving Social Security benefits while holding a full-time job.
