The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Massachusetts owes $25 million to investor Herb Strather, The Cape Cod Times reports.

Strather, a developer from Michigan, bankrolled the tribe's federal recognition effort. Now he wants a payout from any gaming facility that the tribe opens.

"We are seeking a fairness inclusion in the gaming bill that will make the tribe pay their debts before they can get a compact," Strather wrote in a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick (D), the Times reported.

The Massachusetts Senate approved a provision that requires a tribe to disclose debts before negotiating a Class III gaming compact. The language is not present in H.3702, the bill approved by the House.

"Mr. Strather's claims are without merit," the tribe said in response.

Get the Story:
Investor calls Wampanoag on debt (The Cape Cod Times 9/29)

Related Stories:
Massachusetts Senate opens debate on bill to approve casinos (9/27)
Opinion: Massachusetts well on its way to commercial gaming (9/26)
City wants to talk with tribes about casinos in Massachusetts (9/23)
Opinion: The great gaming debate resurfaces in Massachusetts (9/20)
Massachusetts House easily passes bill for expanded gaming (9/15)
Tribes gear up for debate on casino measure in Massachusetts (9/14)
Opinion: Hypocrisy over tribal gaming plan in Massachusetts (9/13)
Editorial: Gaming bill gives free pass for Massachusetts tribes (9/8)
Bill offers 'small window' for a tribal casino in Massachusetts (9/7)
Opinion: Tribal casino in Massachusetts unlikely without land fix (9/6)
Editorial: Tribal interests put ahead of others in Massachusetts (8/29)
Gaming interests oppose tribal provision in Massachusetts bill (8/26)
Massachusetts gaming bill provides for just one tribal compact (8/25)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe still looking to find land for a casino (8/24)
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe praises Massachusetts gaming bill (8/23)