"The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is doing itself no favors by failing to be forthcoming about the challenges it faces. More access to information, not less, will provide both tribal members and the greater public more confidence about the ability of leadership to handle those challenges.

The Day this week reported that former tribal Chairman Michael Thomas, council Treasurer Steven Thomas (the two are brothers) and tribal member Stewart Sebastian have been notified they are targets of an FBI investigation. The tribe has chosen not to comment to Day reporter Brian Hallenbeck, who broke the story. That's their right, but it is a bad strategy.

What good purpose does such an approach serve? Silence feeds doubts and suspicions. It allows rumor and speculation to fill the void."

Get the Story:
Editorial: A cone of silence (The New London Day 5/5)

Also Today:
Tribe says FBI probe focused on individuals (The New London Day 5/4)
Feds Probe Misuse Of Grant Money At Pequot Reservation (The Hartford Courant 5/5)

Related Stories:
FBI targeting former Mashantucket Pequot chair, two others (5/1)