"We already knew that former Mashpee Wampanoag tribal chairman Glenn Marshall lied about his military record (it turns out there was none) and record as a sexual offender (it turns out there is one). That’s what forced him out of office in August, 2007. But the charges brought against Marshall by the Feds two days ago uncover all sorts of new malfeasance. And though the tribe emerged surprisingly unscathed from the former chairman’s previous controversies, this time it could cost them.

US Attorney Michael Sullivan is alleging that Marshall (who’s cooperating with the Feds) directed $60,000 worth of illegal campaign contributions to pols with sway over the tribal recognition process and embezzled roughly $380,000, spending it on “groceries, vacation trips, tuition for his daughter, restaurant tabs, home repairs, home mortgage payments, and jewelry.” (Yes, groceries. I know what you’re thinking and you’re probably right: Marshall would in fact be the first person to go down for buying peanut butter with laundered cash.)

Here’s more or less how it worked, according to the feds:

The money behind the Mashpee’s casino push came from a Michigan businessman named Herb Strather.

Strather regularly deposited cash—$4 million between 2003 and 2007—into a fund called the “Fisherman’s Association Account,” from which Marshall would draw operating expenses. Though the former tribal chairman used most of the money to pay for legal lobbying and PR services, Marshall also dipped in for the illegal contributions, groceries and other goodies."

Get the Story:
Glenn Marshall’s Bad Plan (Boston Magazine 12/17)

Court Documents:
Charge of Information | Plea Agreement

Related Stories:
Illegal Mashpee Wampanoag donations traced (12/18)
Casino foes attack Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (12/17)
Former Mashpee Wampanoag leader pleads guilty (12/16)
State not worried about Mashpee guilty plea (12/16)