Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said the guilty plea by a former leader of theMashpee Wampanoag Tribe would not affect gaming compact discussions.

"We've got, I think, a very positive and transparent relationship with the tribe," Patrick said after being told of the case against Glenn Marshall, The New Bedford Standard-Times reported. "We've been very candid with them and they with us about what the constraints are from our perspective, and what their objectives are, and we are going to continue to work with them whomever the leadership is."

The tribe and the state have held informal talks about a compact. Marshall resigned as chairman over a year ago, long before the discussions started.

But some in the town of MIddleboro, where the tribe wants to build a casino, feel the scandal will hurt the project. Marshall led the fight for a municipal services agreement.

“Good faith has been breached,” Adam M. Bond, the chairman of the board of selectmen, told The Brockton Enterprise.

A casino opponent said the agreement should be withdrawn and said the Bureau of Indian Affairs shouldn't approve the tribe's land-into-trust application.

Get the Story:
Patrick: Charges won't change state's dealings with tribe (The New Bedford Standard-Times 12/16)
Casino pact may be in peril (The Brockton Enterprise 12/16)