Strather and schemes behind the Mashpee casino plans

posted 7.28.08 by the Great Gadfly at Cape Cod Today:

"Within the past decade a shadowy figure from Detroit named Herb Strather became closely associated with Glenn Marshall. Strather is a multi millionaire gambling and real estate developer who refers to himself as philanthropist. He poured money, many millions of dollars, into the tribe's campaign for federal recognition. Using Strather's money and contacts Marshall energized the recognition effort and achieved the success that for decades had been so elusive. Only in the past two or three years did the Strather presence become well known. It became clear that Herb Strather had become a partner in the tribe's future and that meant only one thing, a Wampanoag gambling casino. When federal recognition was announced to the assembled tribe at the council headquarters Strather was present and was a jubilant figure among the tribal council members.

"Now he is identified as a minority stockholder. Three new names have come to the fore in Wampanoag culture; Len Wolman, Sol Kerzner and Scott Ferson. Wolman and Kerzner are partners in casino/resort enterprises in Dubai, the Bahamas, Atlantic City and Connecticut. Together with Starwood Capital, a real estate venture firm and presumably the Wampanoag tribe they have formed an entity called Trading Cove Associates. Wolman and Kerzener are both South African, although Wolman now lives in Connecticut. Scott Ferson is identified as the official spokesman for the Wampanoag tribe. He is employed by the lobbying firm Liberty Square Group, with offices in Boston and Washington, D.C.

"Ferson said that Liberty Square Group has a contract with the tribe. When asked if the tribal council, or the tribal membership or only Glenn Marshall were parties to that contract he failed to answer. A recent telephone conversation with Ferson shed light into some of the dark corners of the Wampanoag story. Ferson said that Liberty Square group has a contract with the tribe. When asked if the tribal council, or the tribal membership or only Glenn Marshall were parties to that contract he failed to answer. When asked if there is a resolution executed by the entire tribal council to retain his firm's services he failed to answer. He said that his firm had become involved some time ago because of Herb Strather and other "investors" whom he did not identify. Ferson confirmed that Strather is still an investor/stockholder, but with a minority position. He did not spell out who owns how much of what stock or what the exact percentage of ownership or future profits are held by the Wampanoag tribe. In fact, no one seems to know, according to Amelia Bingham. Ferson also admitted that Liberty Square Group, while being contracted by the tribe, is actually paid by the 'investors'. He would not specify which investors or how much Liberty Square Group is being paid."