Following Article VIII, Section 2(b) of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Constitution, a hearing was duly noticed for July 6, 2022, at 5:30 to consider the expulsion of Tribal Treasurer Marie Stone from office on the grounds of malfeasance and nonfeasance. The Tribal Council considered five grounds of malfeasance and six grounds of nonfeasance and, by an affirmative vote of 7 members, voted in favor of expulsion.

Tribal Council has requested a Judicial Advisory Opinion from the Supreme Court regarding the Tribal Council vacancy under Article VIII. Article VIII provides the parameters for the filing of vacancies in office. This is the first instance in which the Tribal Council has had to fill a Tribal Council Vacancy.

The advisory opinion will help clarify the meaning of the language “within the calendar year.” If the language refers to the calendar year in which Treasurer Stone was elected, then the vacancy will be filled with a special election given the vacancy occurred after the calendar year had passed. However, if the calendar year language refers to the date in which a vacancy occurs, the vacancy will be filled by the candidate that received the second highest vote count at the May 16, 2021 election.

Tribal leadership, with the support of the Tribal Administrator, Comptroller, and finance department, will continue to work efficiently and effectively to move our tribe forward. Tribal Council will keep you updated on any relevant developments concerning this important matter.