Ex-chair of tribe that welcomed Pilgrims goes on trial

The Associated Press ^ | April 19, 2022

[Oldeconomybuyer]

BOSTON (AP) — A former chairperson of the Massachusetts tribe whose ancestors aided the Pilgrims goes on trial Tuesday for bribery, extortion and other federal charges related to the tribe’s planned casino project.

Cedric Cromwell’s criminal trial opens in U.S. District Court in Boston after being delayed for months by the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal prosecutors say Cromwell used his position as chair of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe to extort tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and engaged in a conspiracy to commit bribery.

The Cape Cod-based tribe’s casino plan has faced years of legal setbacks, but it got a boost in December when President Joe Biden’s administration affirmed the tribe’s sovereign reservation.

[Jonty30]

That’s a lot of wampum.

[billorites]

Guess it’s back to the traditional Wampanoag occupations as hunter gatherers, fishing, cigarette smuggling and high stakes bingo.

[struggle]

Also, let’s not forget the Wampanoag set the Puritans against the Iroquois, and then attacked them themselves during the king Philip war.

[JoSixChip]

A former chairperson of the Massachusetts tribe whose ancestors aided the Pilgrims

And that's relevant because?

[Cold Heart]

Would that be skimming or scalping.

[Fido969]

President Joe Biden’s administration affirmed the tribe’s sovereign reservation.

It wasn't just Chief Cromwell getting bribes and kickbacks.

[Cold Heart]

Without that part it would not be in the news.

[Hieronymus]

I thought maybe the article would explain how various officials in the tribe had been charged for aiding the Pilgrims and that it would turn out to be the Bee.

That was the main (Maine?) reason for looking beyond the headline.

[PGR88]

And that's relevant because?

Exactly - 400 years later, how does that fit into this guys financial crimes today?

Its the same kind of thinking that gives you: "Some Jews killed Jesus Christ 2000 years ago, so they have culpability today..."

[Diogenesis]

Looks as indian as Sen. Liawatha. same cheeks.

[Seruzawa]

Lol. From the headline I at first thought that some wackos were doing a trial in absentia of an Indian Chief from 400 years ago.

[1Old Pro]

Put on a Bolo and you too can be .001% Indian.

[\/\/ayne]

He must have paid off Hunter somehow.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Black is the new Red?

[beef]

“And that’s relevant because?”

He deserves it for helping the Pilgrims, I suppose.

[READINABLUESTATE]

So the glass beads were just a down payment?

[Red Badger]

What tribe?

The Hutus or the Tutsis?...............................

[Pollard]

I thought maybe the article would explain how various officials in the tribe had been charged for aiding the Pilgrims and that it would turn out to be the Bee.

I thought maybe the article would explain how various officials in the tribe had been charged for aiding the Pilgrims and that it would turn out to NOT be the Bee.

[PghBaldy]

Cedric the Extortionist!