Community Corner

2 Shinnecock Tribal Trustees Ousted

Gaming contract controversy results in removal of elected officials.

Two  tribal trustees, and two other top officials, have been removed from office by the Southampton tribe following controversy concerning casino contracts, according to Newsday.

Shinnecock Nation spokeswoman Beverly Jensen confirmed to Patch Tuesday afternoon that Trustees Lance Gumbs and Gordell Wright have been forced to step down.

Newsday reports that Gateway Casino Resorts, the Detroit-based developer that has an agreement with the tribe to establish a Shinnecock casino, learned that some tribal officials were violating the contract by working with an outside businessman toward a gaming facility in Manhattan or Nassau County.

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According to Newsday, in addition to Gumbs and Wright, two members of the Shinnecocks' gaming authority were kicked out, and another member of the tribe was instructed to stop conducting business using the tribe's name

Gumbs and Wright were . It was Gumbs' ninth nonconsecutive term and Wright's fourth.

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Jensen said the tribe is still considering what to do about the vacancies on the three-member board.

Learn more at newsday.com. (Subscription required)


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