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Massachusetts casino deal might get second look

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Massachusetts -- As reported by The Boston Globe: "Middleborough officials want to revisit the multimillion-dollar casino contract they negotiated with the Wampanoag Tribal Council last year, saying their faith in the deal has been rattled by an ongoing federal investigation and charges that the former tribal chairman engaged in fraud and embezzlement.

"After some members of the Board of Selectmen said the contract's "good faith and fair dealing" provision may have been breached by the former tribal chairman, Glenn A. Marshall, the board voted unanimously this week to review the agreement at a meeting with the tribal council in March, following new tribal council elections Feb. 8.

"...Sometimes described as the richest casino deal for any municipality in the United States, the agreement paves the way for a $1 billion casino by promising the town $7 million a year in cash payments, plus revenues from a 4 percent lodging assessment on a planned 1,500-room hotel. It also promises that the tribe will make improvements in town roads and other infrastructure for the casino, and make a one-time $2 million payment for police and ambulance services. The tribe has already begun to make some of these payments.

"But town officials said they may want to revisit the deal after Marshall was charged Dec. 15 by federal officials with steering tens of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign contributions to state and federal politicians, and embezzling $380,000 in tribal money that he spent on groceries, trips, and jewelry. Marshall, 59, has agreed to plead guilty and to cooperate in the investigation..."

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