Tribe Finances Being Scrutinized

Federal authorities are looking into who is receiving political contributions from those that might have slots or gambling interests. They have ordered the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to turn over all of their financial information as it pertains to the contributions that they may have given various political campaigns.

The tribe is accused of donating money to the political campaigns of those that would support them in their quest to bring in slots. After Chairman Glenn Marshall resigned, an investigation was started into the tribe’s finances. The federal government wants to know who is giving political contributions for and against legalizing slot machines in the state of Massachusetts.

In addition, they are looking to pass a bill that would make all political contributions known to the general public so they can see who is supporting what. After the tribe received their federal recognition earlier this year, they ended up bringing the gambling debate to the forefront as they were looking to bring in a slot machine casino to the state.

Now that the governor is looking to possibly legalize slots and casinos in the state, many are wondering if the governor received any monies from the tribe as well. Either way, with his plan to bring in three casinos, the two tribes in the state would get preference over outside companies who wish to bid for the licenses.

However, with the tribe having donated more than $85,000 to political campaigns over the past few years, it is easy to see who might be falling into who’s pocket when it comes time for the debate. They say that it is not illegal for them to accept campaign contributions from anyone supporting either position, but it is illegal for them to vote based on those contributions instead of what their constituents want them to do.


 

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