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Tribal Council members say spending on Taunton casino 'out of control'
http://www.tauntongazette.com/article/20141002/NEWS/141009211/1994/NEWSTribal Council members say spending on Taunton casino 'out of control'
MASHPEE — Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council members Carleton Hendricks Jr. and Laura Etta Miranda are speaking out under threat of censure in the hopes they can rally fellow tribe members to a meeting Saturday and, ultimately, force the tribe’s administration to open the books and stop silencing anyone who questions finances.
“We’re spending money and borrowing money chasing a casino dream,” Hendricks said. “Our kids and our kids’ kids are going to be stuck paying this back.”
The tribe has borrowed more than $90 million for a casino project that still faces long odds. And for every $6 million the tribe borrows from its Malaysian partners, it gives back at least $1.5 million off the top to cover 16.5 percent interest, according to tribe documents.
Unrest has been growing within the ranks of the 2,600-member tribe with handmade signs popping up around Mashpee in recent weeks questioning the out-of-control spending. “$90 milllion and nothing to show for it,” one read.