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Fraud charges for ex-tribal official

Updated: Thursday, 19 Nov 2009, 3:49 PM EST
Published : Thursday, 19 Nov 2009, 3:48 PM EST

    A former official with the Connecticut tribe that runs Foxwoods Resort Casino has been convicted of defrauding investors.

    Prosecutors said a federal jury in Hartford on Thursday found 50-year-old Christopher M. Pearson of Ledyard guilty of eight counts of wire fraud.

    Authorities said Pearson, former deputy chief operating officer of Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, defrauded investors out of $280,000 that he promised to use to buy land on the Island of Roatan, Honduras. Pearson said the land would be used for a resort and casino the tribe was sponsoring.

    Pearson used the money instead for his own use, including boats, cars, vacations and improvements to his waterfront home on Roatan.

    Pearson faces up to 20 years in prison on each count when he is sentenced Feb. 5.

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