Former Massachusetts Tribal Leader Reaches Plea Agreement On Variety Of Fraud Charges

Glenn A. Marshall, 59, the former head of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts, reached a plea agreement last week on charges of making illegal campaign contributions to members of Congress, embezzling funds from his tribe, filing false tax returns and fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits. Marshall is accused of this crimes that were all related to his efforts to win official U.S. recognition of tribal status. According to prosecutors, from 2003 to 2007, Marshall received some $4 million from Detroit real estate investor Herb Strather through an entity called AtMashpee LLC. Marshall put the funds in the Mashpee Fisherman's Association which he used to pay for lobbying efforts on behalf of the tribe, but omitted the fund from the tribal tax returns. He was also alleged to have spent approximately $380,000 from the fund on personal expenses including groceries, vacations, home repairs and jewelry. Marshall also had reported ties to convicted lobbyist, Jack Abramhoff.

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