The former leader of a Massachusetts Native American tribe convicted of accepting bribes from an architectural firm working with the tribe to build a casino has been sentenced to three years in prison. Cedric Cromwell, former chair of the Mashpee Wampanoags, was also sentenced in federal court on Tuesday to a year of probation and was fined $25,000. David DeQuattro, the owner of the Rhode Island architecture and design firm, was sentenced to a year of home confinement and fined $50,000. Prosecutors say Cromwell accepted $10,000, exercise equipment and a weekend at a luxury hotel from DeQuattro’s firm. They were convicted in May.
What Are The Barriers To Native American Homeownership?… Several challenges make homeownership a distant reality for many Native Americans. Compared to white non-Hispanic Americans, there are staggering disparities in homeownership rates. NeighborWorks America is a non-profit organization seeking to close this gap. The org began to create more opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, NeighborWorks America provides grant funding, technical assistance, and evaluation tools to support housing and community development professionals. Others like the National American Indian Housing Council or Oweesta Corporation, is also able to guide would be tribal homeowners and diminish homeownership barriers…
