'Sad Day' For Shinnecock Nation As Former Gaming Authority Member Pleads Guilty to Accessing Email Illegally

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation reacted Monday night after a former member of the gaming authority pleaded guilty to illegally accessing emails that some said hindered future economic growth for the tribe.

According to former Shinnecock Indian Nation Tribal Chief Lance Gumbs, Karen Hunter pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in United States Federal Courthouse in Central Islip before Magistrate Judge Arlene Lindsay and now faces a year in jail or a potential $100,000 fine.

Hunter, to Gene Corcoran, district executive of Eastern District New York, pleaded guilty to unauthorized access of a computer" on Monday.

In an interview with Patch Monday night, Gumbs said, "It was a sad day for our people and for our Nation. The actions of Karen and others involved seriously damaged our community and caused a great division among the families that is still visible four years later. The hurt and pain has not gone away with time."

Gumbs added, "We know that she did not act alone in this and we will be asking the Department of Justice to look into this and the actions that lead to the downfall of the tribe's billion dollar casino project now that we know a crime was committed. Those individuals that acted as agents for the developer's interests against the tribe should all be held accountable because the Nation is now saddled with a multi million dollar contract debit that is hindering future economic growth."

He added, "The theft and manipulation of the stolen emails by Karen and others misled the people of the tribe and has resulted in the loss of additional tribal lands and a casino. Hopefully as the truth comes to light we will be able to come together once again and heal as a unified nation and move forward for the sake of our children and grandchildren's children."

Gumbs said he did not wish to reflect on how Hunter's actions affected him and the other four tribe members personally who were affected by what transpired. "They attempted to remove us" from tribal positions, "but we maintained our positions and lost in the next election. This was so painful on so many levels."

Gumbs said he had "worked so very hard for so long through the federal recognition to the beginning of the land claim and potential gaming for the tribe. What this small group of people did was unconscionable. They sold out our future. Our children. In their misguided attempt to bring me down for greed and money, they instead brought down the entire Nation. Years of work and outside relationships were damaged and has left us in debt."

He added, "I am sad for our people."

Looking ahead, Gumbs said and members of the Nation said the plan is to continue to press the DOJ "to look into the rest including the contract that is outstanding with a $55 million debt tag," he said. "We want them to look at the fraudulent contract that was negotiated in bad faith because they hid the Willets Point deal from the Nation. That deal would have given everything to the developer," he charged. "It was horrible."

Other members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation who were in the courtroom Monday were disheartened by the proceedings.

"It was disheartening," said Dyáni Brown. "I'm glad that someone was finally forced to tell the truth. However, there are still so many outstanding questions. I don't believe she should be the only one brought up on charges. Everyone who participated in flaunting stolen emails as a conspiracy contributed to the demise of this tribe. A lot was lost: the integrity of our governance, billions in real estate opportunity and basic humanity among our people. This was not a petty crime. It was a significant blow to our future of our tribe. We need answers. Hopefully Karen can answer them. But others need to step up and take responsibility for their role. I don't understand why they would leave their sister hanging out there alone. That is the only way we can begin to heal."

Patch file photo.