<div id="subtitle">Rodney Butler elected chairman of Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council</div><div><p>The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council has elected Rodney Butler as chairman of the panel, which governs the eastern Connecticut tribe and oversees its two casinos.</p><p>Butler was elevated from treasurer to chairman by fellow council members Sunday after he won a third three-year term to the council. He replaces Michael Thomas, whom the council ousted in August for his handling of the tribe's finances.</p><p>Revenues from the two casinos, Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods, have taken a huge hit from the recession, and the tribe is seeking to restructure more than $2 billion in debt.</p><p>Butler will become chairman Jan. 1. Tribal members also elected Crystal Whipple and Thomas' brother, Steven Thomas, to the seven-member council.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=62481348&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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