Letter explains feds' default casino approval
MASHPEE — The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's compact with Gov. Deval Patrick for a $500 million casino in Taunton violates an aspect of federal Indian casino law, but that was not enough for the federal government to reject the deal, according to a Jan. 6 letter to the tribe from the assistant secretary of Indian Affairs.
The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs allowed the 45-day review period to lapse without issuing a decision on the compact, approving it by default.
According to Kevin Washburn's letter, released by the bureau Monday, he had concerns with the state's attempt to regulate a Class II casino, which is high-stakes bingo or so-called bingo slots.
Federal law gives tribes and the National Indian Gaming Commission the authority for such facilities.
"We caution the parties that, in implementing the compact, they should avoid applying its provisions in a manner that does not directly relate to the operation of Class III gaming activities, and thus avoid any potential violation of (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act) regarding the limited scope of tribal-state gaming compacts," he wrote.
If the state were to license a commercial casino in the same region, according to the letter, the tribe would be entitled to offer Class III games, which are Las Vegas-style slots and table games, without paying the state any revenue.
Washburn did praise both the tribe and the Patrick administration for their "diligence and hard work" in addressing concerns he raised in the 2012 rejection of the first compact. The tribe's land application remains under separate review by the bureau.
GEORGE BRENNAN
Tribal council members face five challengers
MASHPEE — Four incumbents on the Masphee Wampanoag Tribal Council will face five challengers in the tribe's Feb. 9 annual election.
Incumbents Winnie Johnson Graham, Yvonne Avant, Carlton Hendricks Jr. and Cheryl Frye Cromwell are on the ballot. Frye Cromwell is tribal council Chairman Cedric Cromwell's wife.
The five challengers looking to join the 11-member council include former Vice Chairman Aaron Tobey Jr., who was ousted from office in last February's election by Jessie "Little Doe" Baird.
Along with Tobey, challengers are Marcy Hendricks, Winona Pocknett, Robyn Tobey Stamps and Laverne Jackson.
A candidate forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at Mashpee High School. It is open to tribe members only, according to the Mashpee Wampanoag website.
GEORGE BRENNAN
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