WampaGate

Time to lawyer up

Shawn Hendricks, Desire L. Hendricks Moreno hire lawyers
Boston's Ropes & Gray to represent two Tribal Council officers

By Peter Kenney

Shawn Hendricks, who replaced Glenn Marshall as chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council, has steadfastly maintained that a federal investigation into questionable tribal finances involves only Marshall.

Scott Ferson gets new job

  The ink had barely dried this week on Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to build three casinos in Mass. when Scott Ferson got a new job.
   The public relations executive, who had been advising the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe on its pursuit of a casino, immediately registered as a government lobbyist ... ABC-UKBut sources reveal that Hendricks has contacted the Boston law firm of Ropes and Gray to represent him. Also seeking legal help from the same firm is tribal secretary Desire L. Hendricks Moreno. Hendricks and Moreno have come under increasing scrutiny for what many in the tribe believe is their unusually high standard of living and for the council's handling of more than $100,000 in state, federal and private grants.

It has been confirmed that the FBI served a demand for documents on the tribal council at the request of the IRS.

Scott Ferson was Ted Kennedy's spokeman

Tribal spokesman Scott Ferson, president of the Boston lobbying firm Liberty Square Group, has told the press that the federal investigation involves only Marshal. Ferson served as Senator Ted Kennedy's spokesman in his earlier career as a government press handler. Neither Ferson nor his firm returned calls seeking comment Friday.

Ferson told this reporter in July that his firm has a contract with tribe to be its public voice, but that he was actually paid by the "investors." Some in the tribe express concern at the conflict of interest apparent in this situation.

A spokesman for Ropes and Gray said he could neither confirm nor deny this report. The spokesperson for U.S. Attorney's office in Boston gave a similar response, though she added, "I know they have been talking." Jason Wilson, attorney for Detroit investor/philanthropist Herb Strather, has not returned a call for comment. Strather has claimed that he "injected" $15 million into the tribe to facilitate its successful drive for federal recognition.

"You know, everyone has a lawyer, the backers, Glenn, the council, everybody. We (the tribe) are the only ones without our own lawyer" - Tribe memberA member of the tribe recently told this reporter, "You know, everyone has a lawyer, the backers, Glenn, the council, everybody. We (the tribe) are the only ones without our own lawyer." Apparently Hendricks and Moreno now see the wisdom of having counsel to represent them individually.

It is customary for the U.S. Attorney and other federal law enforcement agencies to notify an individual or the person's lawyer when there is an investigation of that individual. No comment was forthcoming Friday as to whether such notification has been made to Hendricks and Moreno.

It is not known whether Marshall has also hired a lawyer.
Previous colums;

• Glenn Marshall's web still in place [BCR]
• Enough signatures gathered to recall entire Yribal Council [BCR]
  

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