Tribal court rejects challenge of convict's Foxwoods hiring

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (AP) – The court for the Mashantucket Pequots has rejected a challenge of the hiring of a former tribal councilor with a criminal record for a management job at the Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The former councilor, Steven Thomas, received the personnel position at Foxwoods in December 2013 as he was awaiting sentencing for stealing $177,000 from the tribe.

The hiring was challenged by Charlene Jones, another former tribal councilor who said she was passed over for the same job despite having stronger qualifications.

The arguments in the case turned on whether Thomas could have been considered “in good standing” at the time he was hired.

The tribal judge last week granted a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Jones said she is likely to appeal the ruling.