Governor as Debt Collector

The Dead Beat Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has left in its wake unpaid debts to those who funded or supported its pursuit of Fools' Gold.


Reminiscent of Herb Strather's attempts ---
Massachusetts as Debt Collector for Herb Strather


Middleboro wants Gov. Patrick to force casino deal with Wampanoags
By Gerry Tuoti
Staff Writer
Posted Apr 03, 2012


Middleboro — As the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe continues to press ahead with plans to build a resort casino in East Taunton, selectmen from the neighboring town of Middleboro are still requesting that the tribe reach a settlement with them.

“We’re seeking a combination of both land and money,” Selectmen Chairman Alfred Rullo Jr. said. “I can’t talk about details because we are waiting on negotiations.”

The issue was brought into the public eye shortly after the Mashpee, who once considered building a casino in Middleboro, recently announced they are instead pursuing Taunton as their favored casino site.

Middleboro sent a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick asking that he hold off negotiating a gaming compact with the Mashpee until the tribe reaches a settlement with the town. The governor’s office, Rullo said, wrote back to the town last week to acknowledge receiving the letter.

A lawyer for the tribe told Middleboro that its claims are “irresponsible, false, and improper” and that the tribe has upheld all of its obligations to the town.

The lawyer, Howard M. Cooper of Todd & Weld, told the town in a March 8 letter that the tribe is concerned Middleboro is promoting “a meritless claim that the town somehow possesses legal rights against the tribe concerning the tribe’s pursuit of a destination resort and casino in Taunton.”

The tribe entered into an agreement with Middleboro in 2007 to put a resort casino on land it purchased in the town. The deal eventually stalled when the tribe began looking elsewhere for a casino location, most recently on land near Route 24 in Taunton.

The state’s new casino law will allow one casino each in southeastern Massachusetts, greater Boston and western Massachusetts — plus one slots parlor in the entire state.

Rullo said the selectmen haven’t given much thought to taking legal action against the tribe, but didn’t completely rule out that possibility if a settlement isn’t negotiated.

“We haven’t gone that far yet,” Rullo said. “We’re hoping the tribe will recognize its responsibilities to the town of Middleboro so we can talk and settle. I’m not going to rule out anything right now, but we’re focused on negotiation as opposed to litigation.”

The Middleboro selectmen, he added, wouldn’t have a problem with the Mashpee building a casino in Taunton as long as they would first reach a settlement with their town.

“Middleboro wouldn’t step into the middle other than to make sure Middleboro’s grievances are dealt with,” Rullo said. “We think it’s appropriate for the tribe to finish their business in the town of Middleboro first before moving on.”



Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x2020322060/Middleboro-sends-letter-to-Gov-Patrick-asking-to-hold-off-gaming-compact-negotiations#ixzz1qydq2G1N