Tribal Leader, RI Man Accused Of Casino Bribery Scheme

WARWICK, RI — The chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and a Rhode Island business owner were indicted on federal bribery charges in connection with plans to build a casino in Taunton.

David DeQuattro, 54, a Warwick resident and the owner of an architecture firm, and Cedric Cromwell, 55, of Attleboro, the tribe's chairman, were each indicted on two counts of accepting or paying bribes as an agent or to an agent of an Indian tribal government and one count of conspiring to commit bribery. Cromwell was additionally charged with four counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiring to commit extortion. Both are set to appear in court via videoconference on Friday afternoon.

"The charges allege that Mr. Cromwell violated the trust he owed the Mashpee Wampanog Tribe by committing extortion, accepting bribes and otherwise abusing his position," Massachusetts United States Attorney Andrew Lelling said. "Many American Indians face a host of difficult financial and social issues. They require — and deserve — real leadership. But it appears that Cromwell’s priority was not to serve his people, but to line his own pockets. We will continue to aggressively investigate public corruption, including by those who purport to serve our American Indian tribes."

According to the Department of Justice, Cromwell, who led the tribe's gaming authority, contracted DeQuattro's architecture and design company for the construction of the resort and casino in Taunton. From 2014, to 2017, the firm payed Cromwell more than $57,000 in payments and in-kind benefits such as a home gym system and a weekend stay at a Boston hotel. In exchange, DeQuattro's company was paid approximately $4.9 million through the contract, the indictment said.

DeQuattro is accused of writing $44,000 in personal checks to CM International Consulting LLC, a company owned by a friend of Cromwell. These funds were then used to buy treasurer's checks payable to Cromwell or to a shell company he created called One Nation Development. DeQuattro also paid $10,000 directly to this shell company.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Cromwell used all the money for personal expenses, including to his mistress. The architecture firm's president falsified checks to reimbursed DeQuattro, saying they were payroll checks.

"Instead of working honestly on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoags as their duly elected representative, Cedric Cromwell is accused of using his position as Chairman of the Tribe to enrich himself by extorting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and engaging in a conspiracy with David DeQuattro to commit bribery," said Joseph Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division. "These allegations are extremely troubling and indicate a disdain for the rule of law. Both men’s alleged actions undercut the efforts of hard-working tribe members and betrayed their trust."

If found guilty of the bribery charges, both face up to 10 years in prison with three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The conspiracy charges, meanwhile, carry prison sentences up to five years, also with a $250,000 fine.