Monthly Archives: March 2021

Election meeting Monday 3/29 4-6pm

We were the last ethnic group given the right to vote in our own country. Let’s not forget what happens when the core of the tribe loses political control to greedy unqualified interlopers. We’ve suffered for 12 years

The election committee will tell us Monday how they plan to conduct the election May 16.  It looks like the drive through drop off  on election day: Elders vote 8:30 – 10:30, everyone else votes until 4:30. And same day registration.  There’s a lot of oversight that has to worked out to satisfy Tribal members. The main thing is to ensure no one votes twice or stuffs the ballot box. Certain people were fighting hard for the vote by mail to cheat plain and simple. There was also someone offering deafening silence on the mail in ballot and damned near every thing blowing up all around us.

But it’s pretty basic security and validation of membership/registration beyond the health safety issues that are far less stringent than nationwide in November 2020 at the height of the pandemic .

Having eyes on every aspect of this election is the only thing that will satisfy the Tribe. It means paper ballots and a manual count by hand.  The committee is talking about doing both but you have to ask why?  Electronic voting machines are used for elections with thousands of voters. We have 600-700 voters. Why are we spending $4,000 – $5,000 to use the town machine when there will be a manual count anyway? Not necessary. Have monitors who represent  candidates as monitors.

Anyway let’s hope the Council approves what you want to determine who governs us.  And remember The Justice Department is already investigating our last 2 elections ( 2013 & 2017).  We have to get this one right.  Going back to the old way just might do the trick.

 

 

 

Jessie, still messy after all these years

Jessie has a long record of insurrection and conjuring that has undermined tribal culture. It began with the shunning of her own family members.

JESSIE POINTS IN HISTORY:

When Cedric made Jessie enrollment director, in a matter of months, she put about 1,200 people on the Tribal roll at least 80% were from the RED BOX because they did not meet the requirements for membership. Those numbers literally created another Tribe who did not know her background or anything about the Mashpee Wampanoag.  They were labeled “casino stalkers.” Shortly thereafter, with the help of the CS she became Vice Chair and wrecked havoc with our Land in Trust, and every aspect of our being. Now, her Tribe is no longer active because the casino (that she screwed up) is not eminent, so they lost interest.  An irony not lost on us. 

JESSIE SO MESSY

Thursday Jessie submitted another letter of resignation or something.  No one can really figure it out.  You know Jessie…very slippery.  But she’s been busy spreading lies about the upcoming election. Like everything she inserts herself into..it becomes a cesspool. She doesn’t like the way things are going.

The Tribe is unified and is doing a lot of self healing. Members are talking about how they feel and what they want to happen.  That’s how it works. Meanwhile Jessie does not want her rule to end.

Tribal members have had some productive conversations this week on the first zoom meeting Monday attended by  Nearly 100 members. They brought serious concerns to the table. A big problem was resolved when the Council agreed to rescind the emergency election ordinance ending vote by mail.

DARLENE IS THE HERO ! “Come on cuz …!” Can’t we we just do this..together.  And she suggested getting rid of the emergency ordinance.  What a relief to tribal members who were suspicious of the election committee and the mail in ballot that was in place. Darlene’s a member of the embattled election committee, but the Mashpee broke through and common sense won.

Apparently Jessie was not happy with that decision.  After all she is responsible for being part of the crew dragging us down to our lowest point.  Now she can’t decide whether to walk away or keep on draggin’. There will be an emergency meeting to determine whether she keeps her Jack-in-the Box status…torturing the Tribe.

The advisory opinion from the court said that Jessie and Gordon Harris could not just quit when their terms were up Feb 14. They have to work until the next election which is now May 16. But why should they follow the rules?

They never show up to meetings. Only when they want to undermine progress.Gordon doesn’t show up at all…he’s totally random, doesn’t work, got that hazardous duty pay, signed the checks for all those VERY QUESTIONABLE thousands and thousands of dollars to certain staff, triggering another subpoena.   And, Gordon just can’t produce the 3 years of budget reports cause he never drafted them. They just kept spending and spending Genting money.

AND HE REFUSES TO PAY the $800 to Tribal fishermen. So he says they have to start the paperwork all over again. Okay, so Carlton Hendricks, Jr is running down these men and women over the bridge, Cape wide and  in shelters getting signatures so they can get paid the money they desperately need.  And, of course the arrogant resentful Gordon gets a $10k a month check and never comes to work. He won’t face tribal members. How can he? The Sandwich Man.

David has a lot going on. We can only hope he can find his way back.

DAVID WEEDEN LOOSES COOL POINTS– On the

Kimmie is gaining on  David.It’s about his loyalty to Cedric. Another candidate is losing the “Big Mo” too!

Zoom, David tries to deny his long standing support of Cedric and the firm whose primary partner is indicted in the corruption scandal involving our former chairman. David brought David Green and that company to the table.  He also pushed hard to ignore federal laws governing the hiring and subcontracting of Native American contractors. David is bleeding votes to Kimmie like crazy. All he had to do do was say he was wrong. He originally said he wasn’t seeking re-election but jumped back in. Clearly at the urging of Paula and Trish. David needs to think about what’s good for him right now.

You know it’s a shame we have so many of our own elected officials disregarding what’s best for us. And they really get angry when their schemes and attempts to cover up are revealed.

As Reel Wamps has said..we don’t need to worry about outside suppression, we’re under siege by internal forces, Gordon, Jessie, Cedric and crew.

Superceding indictment served on Cedric Cromwell

Another sad day for our Tribe as the Justice Department returned a superseding indictment against former Tribal Chairman on tax evasion charges. Below is the detail. Ironically, during a very productive Monday emergency meeting, among a list of a broad range of issues in public comment, David Pocknett urged the Council to take Cedric’s picture (depicting him as Chairman ) off the Tribal website.  It was done.  Sign of an end to the Cromwell rein.

 

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Massachusetts

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Former Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Charged in Superseding Indictment

BOSTON – A federal grand jury in Boston returned a superseding indictment yesterday charging the former Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe with filing false tax returns. The former Chairman and the owner of an architecture-and-design firm were previously charged in connection with a bribery scheme involving the Tribe’s plans to build a resort and casino in Taunton.

Cedric Cromwell, 55, of Attleboro, the former Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, was charged in a superseding indictment with four counts of filing a false tax return.

In November 2020, Cromwell and David DeQuattro, 54, of Warwick, R.I., were each indicted on two counts of accepting or paying bribes as an agent (or to an agent) of an Indian tribal government and one count of conspiring to commit bribery. Cromwell was also indicted on four counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiring to commit extortion.

According to the superseding indictment, when Cromwell filed his personal income tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2017, he failed to report bribes that he allegedly received from DeQuattro’s company, through DeQuattro, in connection with that company’s contract to serve as the Tribe’s “owner’s representative” for the casino project. Cromwell also failed to report payments for consulting services that he performed for a company that developed and supplied forest carbon offsets, including by partnering with forest-owning Native American tribes. Cromwell was allegedly paid the consulting income through an intermediary identified as “P-Co.,” which was formed by a business associate of Cromwell. The business associate was the only authorized signatory on a bank account identified as the “P-Co. Shell Company Account.” Cromwell also allegedly failed to report income to his company One Nation Development, paid through the P.-Co. Shell Company Account and the bank account of a Florida limited partnership, which originated with an investment holding company in Las Vegas. The only authorized signatory on the investment holding company’s bank account was the CEO of a Las Vegas-based architecture firm hired to be the architect for the Tribe’s casino project. The superseding indictment alleges that Cromwell failed to report $39,000 in 2014; $57,374 in 2015; $26,884 in 2016; and $54,134 in 2017, for a total of $177,393.

The charge of filing a false tax return provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Field Division; and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of Mendell’s Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

Election moved to May 16

It took 3 meetings in one night, but the Council did it’s job.  They actually worked together and voted to eliminated the emergency ordinance calling for the March 26 election and set a new election date of May 16.

Earlier that day, the Tribal court basically said that the March 26 election could go forward with mail in ballots, and an a hearing on the appeal in late April.

But the council vote last night triggered a reset. New election.  Work has to be done to give the election committee guidance. A lot of guidance.  They made it clear during the meeting that they had no idea what they were doing.

We have to give kudos to  Aaron Tobey and Carlton Hendricks for showing leadership. The lawyer for the election committee was having a hard time answering the questions posed by Hendricks. Brian Weeden was impressive with his ability to conduct the meeting properly and then keep it on track when Jessie  took over.

There were over 75 members on that zoom at any given time.  That’s a lot of people for our little Tribe.

There were some important things said during this meeting by Tribal members.  We will talk about that in our next edition.

Jack-in-the-box alright

So it was nuts.  Jessie Baird was back in charge of the Council meeting after resigning 3 times. David Pocknett could not resist and provided comic relief a la

Jack -in -the-box Jessie. It’s just too much. She has no shame or sense. To think she wants to be on the Mashpee board of selectman torturing them.!

Jack in the Box…”Jessie you’re in , you’re out…what the hell’s goin’ on with you? ” then he revealed the Jack-in – the Box. Everyone went nuts. She once again turned off his video.  And Jessie being Jessie complained that he was being disrespectful. Takes one to know one don’t it?

She’s disrespected us for a long time.  Time to make the hasty exit Jessie.  It’s time.

Despite the potential for being held in contempt of court,

Come on Francie, just stop talking. Or better yet, resign. Maybe Cedric can help you out. Oh, sorry. Forgot.

Francie keeps talking like she knows something we don’t. She’s going around telling Elders that we’re voting on Friday March 26 with a drive through.  Right. So the courts not going to decide, she is ? This why the Fryes should not be in charge of anything. Cause they don’t know anything.

Election committee continues to go rogue

The election committee continues to conduct the election like they can predict the outcome of the appeal.  The committee lost its effort to hold a mail in election last week.  Judge Amanda WhiteEagle said the MWT Constitution prohibits vote by mail.  So the election committee had their three lawyers ($60K) appeal the decision. WhiteEagle’s ruling was very detailed.

We have no idea what the appellate judge will do, but based on legal norms, WhiteEagle’s ruling would be tough to overturn.  And the appeal may not even be considered.  Who the hell knows?

This is the second time the election committee has jumped the gun.  They mailed the ballots out while the challenge to MIB was before the court. They should have done nothing.  Then when the ruling came down Francie Dottin, the committee chair, said “hold on to ballots”  because the judge “made a mistake.” Do you see why ignorance is dangerous?

This is so outrageous we have no words. But can say that it causes MORE CONFUSION and turmoil that we don’t deserve.

The committee launchs the appeal and then she sends out another email to tribal members saying send the ballots in with copy of your license or tribal ID and your name and return address on the return envelope. NOT A BARCODE. Really?

Okay.  Now you know we have been saying that the committee is clueless.  This proves it. First tribal members are averse to anything this committee recommends. Now they want you to identify yourself?  Plus they just don’t trust the Frye dominated committee. A little too desperate to stay in power.

The committee is hell bent on  keeping their family in power and Francie is still fiercely loyal to Cedric.

SO DO THEY KNOW SOMETHING WE DON’T KNOW?

We said it before. Francie and a majority of her election committee are dedicated to self preservation, but the Tribe is NOT in the equation

Frye  dominated election committee, and the administrative arm of the court is run by…you guessed it….more Fryes.  Nancy Joseph is Clerk of Court and Bobby Foster (a candidate for Treasurer who’s  also over victim assistance… it’s true).  You know how much Bobby talks. Are there leaks to the election committee? That’s the only thing you can figure beyond just being stupid.

They have effectively shown contempt for the Tribal judicial process, and probably don’t know it. Or did their lawyers tell them to do this? The Bar Association where they are licensed could reprimand them if they did. We would like to think not. Soooooo a contempt of court motion was filed against the committee in the court yesterday.

 

Our political gadfly ghost Jessie Baird has reinserted herself into the Council leadership, but she has yet to speak to the current crisis that she has chosen to ignore. You know why. We have 4 Council members running, Brian Weeden, David Weeden, Winnie Johnson Graham, and Ann Marie Askew. Are they willing participants in this horror show? When are they going to speak up?  All council members need to address this mess because the whole process is so tainted…the committee is so out of line, a NEW COMMITTEE of  IMPARTIAL TRIBAL MEMBERS. must be put in place to conduct the fraud free election that members want.   

Appeal delays election, voter confusion, election committee jumps the gun

Today’s status hearing was canceled because of the Election Committee appeal. It’s up to Supreme Court Judge Robert Mills now. Hopefully he will make a decision soon to either dismiss the appeal or hear it .  Which ever, the election will likely be delayed because of simple logistics.

Normally, a supervisor of elections (our election committee chair) would delay any action regarding the election until the legal challenges concluded. Not Francie.  They go ahead and send out mail in ballots to members without knowing what the court would do.  She presumes the court would rule for the committee ( which it didn’t) and sends members the ballot to return by mail. We’re not going to get into the mess this creates.

Meanwhile members are receiving mail in ballots and it’s resulting in chaos.First, the off reservation people don’t know what’s going on or the people running, so they are asking family members in Mashpee who to vote for.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN TO PREVENT.
Those living the Mashpee life should decide its future.  The off reservation folks, well if you care, get your ass home to vote.Simple and clear cut.

YOU CAN’T BE RANDOM ABOUT YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE TRIBE.
Someone needs to clue Jessie Baird.  She quit for the 3rd time on Feb 14…despite the court advisory opinion that says she had to stay until someone is elected to replace her. Oh ya, the court said to stop asking for advisory opinions like that one when the legal intent was obvious. Just like the unconstitutionality of mail in ballots.

Jessie is so not worthy. She can’t get on the straight and narrow.

Back to Jessie. She’s in she’s out, she’s here she’s there.  She has reappeared, called a meeting Thursday because there’s money to be had. Yup another infusion of CARES money to the Tribe. You know Jessie’s got to get hers.  What happens with that money should be determined by the incoming administration not members of the corrupt regime that has destroyed us. 

 

 

They love that rabbit hole

Those of you who have received a mail in ballot may be wondering what’s going on especially with the historic ruling by Judge Amanda White Eagle saying that our Tribe cannot vote by mail. Well, we’re not voting by mail unless the Tribal Supreme Court Judge says so. Mean while the Election Committee  told members to keep their ballots because essentially White Eagle “made a mistake”.  Well unless Francie’s a mind reader that’s not true. Just more misinformation guided by Paula and Cedric.

In an effort to suck more money out of the Tribe, the very expensive ($60k) lawyers are appealing to “Supreme” Court Judge Robert Mills. it’s rare for a higher court to over rule a decision like this, but they’re appealing anyway.  You see, the lawyers get paid more money for the appeal.  All three of them. By  the way Aaron Tobey did not file against us (the Tribe) it was against the Council and the elections committee.

The judge said the election committee was without authority. Again they violated the Constitution. Believe us…the higher court will see that too.

This letter was written by a Frye and it sounds like Bobby Frye don’t cha kno.

But on to really serious stuff.  The election committee did send out the mail in  ballots anyway. The ballots are wrong in several ways. The election may not be on March 26th, Rita Gonsalves is no longer running for chair and they never took into account the length of time it takes to get ballots back in. They couldn’t get the voter registration forms to those who needed to register on time.  They sent them to everyone. Talk about confusion.  Everyone did not need to re register. This goes to the fact that the election committee is clueless about the logistics of running an election and the precautions that need to be taken. And in the letter to Tribal members they accuse Judge White Eagle of “causing confusion” by declaring the mail in ballots unconstitutional? Condescending to a judge? Boy that’s brilliant!

The ballot is bootleg too. Names aren’t listed by incumbency or alphabetical or anything…just random and wrong.

Voting the way we should, on election day, in Mashpee can be done safe and sound. You can’t use ballots with the wrong dates or candidates who dropped out that can be copied a hundred times and sent in.  How do they know if they are registered Tribal members without revealing their identities? All you have is the ballot and return envelope. Who’s going to put their return address and name one there to be thrown away?

Trying to meet the March 26 date depends on whether Robert Mills hears the case right away. Meanwhile the Monday (March 15) morning status hearing goes forward to figure out how the election will be run. That should tell you something.

 

 

 

Judge says mailbox is not a ballot box for the Mashpee

In a detailed ruling, Judge Amanda White Eagle essentially said that the Tribal Constitution was “supreme,” and that the emergency ordnance approved by Jessie Baird, Anne Marie Askew, Brian Weeden, David Weeden, Winnie Graham, Yvonne Frye Avant, Gordon Harris, election committee members (Chair) Francie Dottin, Alyssa Hathaway, Elsie Pocknett and Darlene Scott was unconstitutional. 

She also compared the defense’s effort to distinguish absentee ballots from mail in ballots (described as one in the same nationwide) as “linguistic somersaults” and that a ” mailbox is not a poll.”

So as we thought she might do, she is holding a status hearing  Monday at 9 am with all parties concerned to determine future steps. Which may be that we vote in person according to the constitution. And by the way.  Even the very expensive lawyers they hired to fight us say they should have paper ballots and a hand count because we are such a small pool of voters. Ya think?

If the defendants want to appeal they have to do so within 30 days..  So it looks like the Mashpee Wampanoag Constitution stood the test.  We better be damned glad.

Jessie is anxious to torture the Board of Selectmen in the town Hall (Samuel G Davis School). Can’t you just see the ghosts of Mista Coombs, Ms Smith, Ms West, Ms Pierce and even Mrs Blinkcorn telling her to behave, or sit in the corner?

***note for the day.  All those bolded Council members are running for officers posts and David for re-election.  The nerve. And Jessie Baird is going to try to subject the Town of Mashpee board of selectmen to her SCAMdolous activity. She also walked away from he job as Vice Chair despite the court advisory opinion that said she was required to continue working (heh heh) until her replacement was elected. Nastiness pure and simple.

Preliminary Injunction granted..Tribal Election on hold

Judge Amanda White Eagle has granted the preliminary injunction filed by Johnathan Polloni on behalf of Council member Aaron Tobey to stop the March 26  tribal election.  There are a variety of mandates the judge could require to allow the election to proceed, or she could ask for recommendations from the plaintiff (Tobey).

This is a huge victory for the majority of tribal members who wanted to vote in person because they did not trust the election committee.

When we have more, we will let ya know.