Mashantucket Leaders Plead Not Guilty

The former chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, Michael Thomas, and his brother Steven Thomas, the current treasurer, plead not guilty Monday to charges of stealing more than $800,000 between the two of them, according to the Norwich Bulletin.

The report says, “The brothers are each charged with one count of theft from an Indian tribal organization and two counts of theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal funds."

Federal investigators charge that Michael Thomas stole more than $100,000 while serving as the chairman of the tribal council and Steven Thomas stole more than $700,000 while he was assistant director of the natural resources department.

According to the United States Attorney's Office, "The indictments also include forfeiture allegations.  If convicted, Steven Thomas faces forfeiture of approximately $739,743.64, and Michael Thomas faces forfeiture of $102,393.34 and two personal computers."

The two appeared in U.S. District Court in New Haven Monday to face federal charges of theft from and Indian tribal organization and theft from an Indian tribal government receiving federal funds.

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