Law

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation defends hiring of ex-chairman

Monday, January 25, 2016

Michael Thomas. Photo from LinkedIn

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut has hired former chairman Michael Thomas in spite of his criminal record.

In July 2013, a federal jury found Thomas guilty of one count of theft from an Indian tribal organization and two counts of theft concerning an Indian tribal government receiving federal funds. Prosecutors said he used a tribal credit card to make $100,000 in unauthorized purchases.

Thomas served time in federal prison and is now back on the reservation as the executive assistant to the tribe’s chief of staff, the Associated Press reported. A spokesperson said the tribe was willing to give him another chance.

“As for past failures, poor judgments, immaturity and hard lessons learned, these experiences don’t haunt us, but become part of our cherished arsenal of ‘war stories,’” spokesperson Lori Potter told the AP. “They are parables of wisdom that add greater depth and meaning to the legacy of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which we will hand down to our future generations.”

Steven Thomas, Michael's brother, also was convicted of stealing from the tribe and was sentenced to probation. He was hired to work at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.

At one point both brothers were banished from the reservation.

Get the Story:
Tribe behind Foxwoods rehires ex-leader convicted of theft (AP 1/22)

2nd Circuit Decision:
US v. Thomas (October 31, 2014)