UPDATED: Jury Finds Michael Thomas Guilty of Embezzlement

The jury in the trial of Michael Thomas, the former Mashantucket Pequot tribal chairman accused of stealing about $100,000, found him guilty of embezzling from the tribe that owns Foxwoods.

Federal prosecutors made a case against Thomas this week alleging that he embezzled approximately $100,000 from the tribe from 2003 to 2009. Most of the money, about $90,000, was spent on limousine service for his mother’s doctors appointments, according to a report in The Day.

Thomas admitted to federal investigators in 2012 that he utilized the tribe’s American Express card for personal expenses and that he did arrange for his mother’s transportation. Michael Thomas did not take the stand to defend himself.

Thomas had signed a tribal resolution acknowledging the limits of the tribe-issued credit card but testimony Monday by a former chief of staff claimed that Thomas was too busy to reconcile his expense reports. Ever. 

Records presented to the court show that Thomas also purchased computers, electronics and satellite and cell phone service with the card but investigators admitted they had no way of knowing whether or not he was using them to conduct business. 

Thomas will remain free on a $100,000 bond and be sentenced Oct. 22.

Click here to read the full report in The Day.