Investor Sues Eastern Pequots Over Casino Plans
Plaintiff Says Tribe Pushes Him Out of Development Plans

July 9, 2003

NBC 30 Connecticut

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. – A Connecticut investor said he is suing members of the Eastern Pequot Indian tribe over accusations that it pushed him out of plans to open a casino.

J.D. DeMatteo is a Burlington venture capitalist who backed the tribe and had a formal relationship with it since 1992. He also brought in casino developer Donald Trump.

His lawsuit, which was to be filed Tuesday, charges that a “small coterie of persons hijacked” the tribe and misled its council and members to push out DeMatteo and his company, Amalgamated Industries, Inc.

The lawsuit claims tribal members illegally agreed to receive gifts, money, gratuities and other consideration or benefits in return for ending an agreement with DeMatteo.

The tribe is already being sued by Trump, whose lawyers have made similar allegations.

Nancy Tyler, spokeswoman for the Eastern Pequots, could not be reached for comment early Wednesday morning.