There it is for all to see at the junction of route 130 and 28. I can’t help but think that it is there for Mashpee folks to see, and Natives in particular.
While I don’t know the origin of the signs, the wording does suggest that the author has some intimate knowledge of the subject, either through involvement or investigation. The characterization of the Mashpee Wampanoag casino plans as a “Ponzi scheme” is apt and deadly close to the mark. Boston businessman and swindler Carlo “Charles” Ponzi bilked willing investors out of what would amount to a quarter billion in today’s dollars. The Mashpee Tribe’s unwilling marks are not far behind. Ponzi was, sadly, an amateur in comparison.
There are dimensions to the casino scheme that we can only speculate about, because we mere rank and file Tribe members are forbidden to know anything about the machinations of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Gaming Commission. Meanwhile, corruption abounds. We all should know about the cronyism, misuse of funds, employment irregularities, and so forth, but let’s look at what future investigations may reveal.
- Kickbacks. not really anything new, but stuff that the IRS may want to know about.
- Bribery, extortion, and blackmail, oh my!
- Payments and perks “under the table.” More fodder for the IRS.
- Money laundering.
- Offshore financial activities.
- Misuse of Tribal credit cards.
How can I say those things? Well, when the activities of the Gaming Commission (Cromwell & Co.) are veiled in secrecy, what else can you do but speculate the worst? I challenge Cromwell and his cronies to dispel my suspicions and provide solid proof that any of the above items are untrue. I’m waiting…
