Former Mashpee Wampanoag leader pleads guilty to tax charges as tribe’s controversial casino grows
Summary
Cedric Cromwell, the former chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and president of its gaming operations, has pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false tax returns, admitting he failed to report more than $177,000 of income between 2014 and 2017. Around two-thirds of that income is tied to the long-running First Light Resort and Casino project in Taunton, Massachusetts. Sentencing for the tax counts is scheduled for 5 November 2025; Cromwell also faces separate sentencing for reinstated extortion and conspiracy charges that carry far heavier penalties.
The article also outlines the decade-long legal and political saga around the First Light project: federal recognition in 2007, a 2012 agreement with Taunton, repeated court battles that delayed development, and a recent revival of activity. The tribe has opened a temporary welcome centre that has expanded from a 10-slot display to 50 slots with an alcohol licence and an updated agreement could allow up to 250 slots; Genting remains a funding and operational partner.
Author style
Punchy. The piece flags both the criminal exposure of a one-time tribal leader and the surprising momentum of a divisive casino project — read on if you want the quick legal and development implications in one go.
Source
Key Points
- • Cedric Cromwell pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false tax returns for failing to report over $177,000 (2014–2017).
- • Approximately two-thirds of the unreported income is linked to the First Light Resort and Casino project in Taunton, Massachusetts.
- • Sentencing for the tax convictions is set for 5 November 2025; Cromwell also faces sentencing on reinstated extortion and conspiracy charges with much stiffer potential penalties.
- • Cromwell was earlier convicted (trial severed) on bribery/extortion-related matters; co-defendant David DeQuattro was later acquitted on appeal.
- • The First Light project has endured years of legal disputes since the 2012 Taunton agreement but has recently resumed activity, opening a welcome centre that has grown from 10 to 50 slots and may expand to 250 under a new agreement.
- • Genting is funding and partnering on the project; the relationship has improved as the development moves forward.
Why should I read this?
Because it’s a neat one-stop update: a former tribal leader admits tax wrongdoing tied to a hugely contested casino effort, and yet the casino itself keeps gaining steam. If you care about gaming regulation, tribal development deals or how legal dramas affect big projects, this saves you time — all the must-know bits without wading through court filings.