BANGOR, Maine — The jury is expected to begin deliberations today in the federal trial of a former Indian Township Passamaquoddy tribal governor and the tribe’s ex-business manager accused of misusing $1.7 million in federal funds between Oct. 1, 2002, and Sept. 30, 2006.
Robert L. Newell, 65, of Indian Township took the stand in his own defense Monday in U.S. District Court. He testified that it was not his intent to break the law when he moved money from one tribal account to another to pay bills. Newell denied conspiring with former business manager James J. Parisi Jr., 45, of Portland, in an effort to use tribal money illegally.
Parisi did not take the stand.
Newell admitted that he moved or approved having money moved from one account to another to meet tribal expenses. He told the jury that his goal as governor was to lower the unemployment rate on the reservation that averaged between 30 percent and 60 percent, depending on the time of year and economic conditions.
To support that effort, he said he started a workfare program on the reservation that required able-bodied tribal members to work in exchange for General Assistance. Jobs ranged from mowing lawns and shoveling snow for elders to driving tribal members to methadone clinics for treatment, he testified.
“I wanted people to feel better about themselves, rather than that they were getting something for nothing,” he said of the program.
Much of the money spent from accounts prosecutors have claimed were earmarked for specific purposes, such as housing, drug education and AIDS prevention, was used to pay for General Assistance for tribal members, Newell testified. He also denied that he showed favoritism to family members.
He said that during his tenure as governor, many on the reservation were addicted to opiates, including one of his sons. Newell would give addicts who went into treatment money for groceries, utilities, child care, transportation and lodging expenses so tribal members could seek treatment from a methadone clinic in Portland before a clinic opened in Calais.
Under cross-examination, Newell denied that the tribe’s outside auditor told him not to take money from one account to pay expenses in another, unless the money could be reimbursed in three days to a week. He also denied trying to buy votes by handing out general assistance.
“I didn’t do it to be popular,” he said. “I did it to help those people.”
The former governor testified that he, not Parisi, made decisions about how money would be moved from one account to another. Newell said that Parisi sometimes made transfers under his instructions.
Newell, who most recently served as tribal governor at Indian Township from 2002 to 2006, and Parisi, who served as the tribe’s finance director from 2003 to 2006, were indicted on March 19, 2008, by a federal grand jury on 30 charges after a nearly two-year-long investigation. Their trial began Monday, Nov. 3, and has focused on hundreds of documents entered into evidence
If convicted, each man faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the more serious charges of misapplication of tribal government funds and misapplication of health care funds. They also could be ordered to pay nearly $2 million in restitution to six federal agencies or departments.
On 11/18/08 at 7:27 AM,
kylie00 wrote:
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It`s about time sombody was held accountable for their actions
On 11/18/08 at 9:24 AM,
maineopine wrote:
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These are good people who actually probably did the best with the money according to their beliefs and culture...
I know Jim...grew up with him...he is not sinister or deceptive...and I don't think the cheif would pruposedly create a situation that knowlingly would harm so many people...
I hope they are cleared and I think they will be...
On 11/18/08 at 12:35 PM,
ralphmcdevitts wrote:
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maineopine, you obviously do not have your finger on the pulse of what had been going on for years.
nice to see the facts not distorting your view. (tongue firmly in cheek)
On 11/18/08 at 3:07 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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The natives get enough without them ripping us off. I say stop giving them any money period. They get both ends and the middle. Stop the free handouts to these bums.
On 11/18/08 at 3:08 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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Throw the son of a bitch in jail for good.
On 11/18/08 at 3:09 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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If anyone has a problem with that. Come see me. You don scare or intimidate this ol boy. You lazy %^@*&ers
On 11/18/08 at 3:15 PM,
SteveyDee wrote:
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Calm down concerned1, no need of getting worked up. LOL !!!!!!
On 11/18/08 at 4:54 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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Not worked up stevey. Just sick of SOME not ALL of these lowlifes thinking the world owes them a favor.
On 11/18/08 at 5:30 PM,
SteveyDee wrote:
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I hear you concerned1, everyone want's a hand out these days.
On 11/18/08 at 6:23 PM,
JenGal78 wrote:
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concerned1, are you saying that all Natives are "bums" and lazy F$%#ers? What do have to back up these claims? Do you personally know any Natives or is this just your racist opinion? I'm not defending this man, (Newell) I really don't know the case but as an Native women who works,supports my children and goes to college I'm offended. I'm aware my words really don't have any meaning to you and will not change your mind. I just thought others who may read your comments need another point of view. I have many friends and family members who are highly educated and work oh and that means pay taxes. Hardly lazy bums or fu#@#rs as you say. You seem to be a very angry person and maybe the fact that we Natives are making strides to better ourselves that angers you because instead of you looking down at us we actually look down at you.
On 11/18/08 at 7:00 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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To Jen,you *!&^#%ing idiot I said SOME not all. By the way. I'm native to which qualifys me to say anything *!&^#%ing thing I want. As far as making strides.Thats a laugh. What exactly do you meen when you say that? You act like you have had to overcomeobstacles in life. Listen honeymaybe our for fathers had it rough. But we have had the same opportunitys as everyone else the past 100 years. Stirdes my ass. Everyones had it tough and not given the opportunitys we have had.Get over it
On 11/18/08 at 7:13 PM,
Harrry wrote:
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JenGal78: You are right, nobody should be called a bum, or lazy freeloader, unless they are. I have been trying forever to find out the true amount of total
funding for our Tribes, But no luck. This information should be public, after all its taxpayors money, be it from the State, or Federal Government. All agencies , including the BIA, are taxpayor funded, so unless someone is afraid of what the funding will prove, speak up. I know that in the last twenty/thirty years, at least 200 million (probably much more), has been obtained through grants/gifts. Hopefully you will agree that is a considerable amount of money, to support around two thousands people. But why should we have to??
On 11/18/08 at 8:28 PM,
maineopine wrote:
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Yeah to Jenga78!! One stride that she obviously made was in spelling...as in "exactly what do you MEAN" see spelling from concerned1.
As well, she has made strides in that she is not an angry, raving, self-absorbed, redneck. Native Americans were treated just as badly as the African Americans...and if you don't know that, or don't understand the gravity of that, then you should not venture an opinion. Your opinions are vulgar and crude.
On 11/18/08 at 11:09 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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LOL They were treated badly when? Hundreds of years ago. Not by my generation they werent. And not by me. And I have to ask. How am I being racist when I'm native too? They pass the money outlike theres no end to it to the tribes. Enough's enough.
On 11/18/08 at 11:11 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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My exact point Harry. What the hell do they have to hide?
On 11/18/08 at 11:37 PM,
justacommenter wrote:
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I have to side with concerned1 on this one!!
We have paid our debt to the natives, african americans,etc.... years ago!!!!!
As for immigrants....I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.
I mean really where is our rights for being born US citizens and working all our lives for generations to get SH*T!!! Nothing for small business loans.
No breaks on students loans, nothing, nothing nothing!!! If you arent' black, asian, Indian, anything thing but white american bornm you get nothing...Such Bullsh*t!!!!!
We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.
I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa ; so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a French-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Canada. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.
And if you don't like my point of view, tough ...
Get over it.
On 11/19/08 at 8:30 AM,
Sassy1 wrote:
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If a Native or anyone else gets a student loan it has to be paid back, unless they are lucky enough to get a job where student loan repayment is one of the benefits. That could be a job perk for anyone, not just minorities. There are special loans and grants available to everyone in the U.S. as long as you qualify so I think that some of you prejudice people should really get over yourselves and your slanted views and stop worrying that your next door neighbor might have something that you don't.
On 11/19/08 at 9:46 AM,
maineopine wrote:
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Actually, Africa was once connected to Maine millions of years ago, so technically, a lot of people could be qualifed to be African-Mainiacs.
On 11/19/08 at 9:48 AM,
maineopine wrote:
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concerned1: I suspect that you are probably an OK guy most of the time, but your anger prevents your intelligence from taking center stage...
On 11/19/08 at 11:11 AM,
movethen wrote:
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Sassy1,
Not exactly true. Yes, Native Americans are entitled to the same student loans as us white minorities, and must pay them back. NO us white minorities are NOT entitled to the same FREE loans Native Americans are entitled to and DON'T have to pay back.
On 11/19/08 at 11:16 AM,
JenGal78 wrote:
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concerned1, I'm sorry. I must have over looked the "some not all" part after I read the 3 generalized insulting comments posted by you minutes apart. Oh and being Native which qualifies you to say whatever you f#$%king want? You sound like a psycho. Who talks like that? I can't believe I'm allowing myself to be drawn back into this...I’m done. Just a waste of my time.
On 11/19/08 at 3:57 PM,
Sassy1 wrote:
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Hey movethen, a loan is a loan and has to be paid back. It would be called a gift or a grant if it didn't have to be paid back. I am just really sick of people basically calling the natives a bunch of lazy freeloaders. Just like with any population there are a few but there are many hardworking Native Americans who get looked down on because of some ignorant commentators.
On 11/19/08 at 5:53 PM,
movethen wrote:
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Sassy1,
I am not calling anyone lazy. I am just pointing out that there are more options for Native Americans when it comes to paying for college. I know of Native Americans going to college basically free on the government (I mean taxpayers). I believe in treating everyone equal in this country, so lets start doing it. Everyone should get the same opportunities, loans, grants, get out of jail free card, whatever. No more entitlements to a certain race, white, Native, African American, etc. You would not believe the people that will fight this, but say they believe in equality. We need to look to the future and quit dwelling on the past and using it as an excuse. Come to think of it, I am sure there are many groups of people who actually don't want declassified as a minority, they would lose too many free handouts. Not fair in my book.
On 11/19/08 at 6:08 PM,
concerned1 wrote:
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Jen I'll tell you who talks like that. People who are sick and tired of the *!&^#%ing freeloaders that who. Get over yourself. You write on how your in college and just doing so peachy for yourself. What a *!&^#%ing joke. So are many other women. There race has nothing to do with it. Who the hell died and made you Chief?
On 11/19/08 at 8:43 PM,
maineopine wrote:
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Ok..concerned1...now the truth is out...even if you weren't a raving, angry windbag....your intelligence would not show up anywhere...at all. Your Native name should to be "blows smoke out of ass" or "whines all night"...or "likes to hear self talk"
.
On 11/22/08 at 5:01 AM,
eveningrain wrote:
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If concerned 1 is native as he claims, then he was not raised properly. We are taught to raise our sons to have respect for women, who are the life givers, so as far as traditional knowledge, you are either severely lacking in that knowledge or your Mother didn't raise you properly. The dominant culture did to Blacks what it did to First nations people - enslaved us. Stole our land, our culture and put us on land that the dominant culture (whites) did not want at that time. The whites are the ones who devised the BIA system. The Whites are the ones who devised a system of enslavement to their government. Africans didn't want to come here - they were kidnapped by slave traders and forced to come to this country and to others to be sold in the slave trade. The same thing happened to many American Indians. Massasoit was kidnapped and taken overseas, but made his own way back again. Read some history - and not your version of it.
Most importantly, we have to stop all this hatred and come together as the human race so we can work together to solve the serious problems our earth is facing The earth is dying. If the earth dies so won't we all. Haven't we had enough wars and deaths? If we can't even get along as neighbors what hope do we have of geting a long as a global community? We share this earth and together we must work to heal the damage we have done to it. Mainers are hard workers - but they can't work if there aren't jobs and no one can live on minimum wage and pay for a roof over your family's heads, food, fuel, travel expenses, etc., Some people have lost all hope - so they turn to the wrong things drugs, alcohol, etc., but rather than name call and denigrate, let's work together to solve these problems. We are never going to accomplish that through racism and hatred.
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