Fishing magnate Carlos Rafael pleaded guilty. (Photo: #@darby99/Blogtrepreneur/CC BY 2.0)

‘The Codfather’ pleads guilty of fishing quota fraud

UNITED STATES
Friday, March 31, 2017, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

Fishing magnate known as “The Codfather” finally pleaded guilty to federal charges of falsifying fish quotas, conspiracy and tax evasion, as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Carlos Rafael, the owner of one of the US largest commercial fishing operations, changed his plea to guilty during a hearing in federal court in Boston, Associated Press reported

Rafael, who owns a fleet of more than 30 vessels, 44 commercial fishing permits and the Carlos Seafood business in New Bedford, was accused of falsely claiming his vessels caught haddock or pollock, when they had actually caught other species subject to stricter quotas.He then sold the fish for cash, some of which was smuggled overseas.

Particularly, the indictment accused Rafael of falsely reporting to NOAA Fisheries the species of about 815,812 pounds of fish between 2012 and 2016 in a scheme to circumvent federal fishing quotas and “profit from the sale of misreported fish.”

The bulk smuggling charge was related to his part in smuggling profits out of the country and into his Portuguese bank accounts with the assistance of Antonio M. Freitas, then a Bristol County sheriff’s deputy.

In a statement released by his attorneys, Rafael said he is prepared to accept the consequences of his actions.

“I am not proud of the things I did that brought me here, but admitting them is the right thing to do,” he said.

Rafael went on to say that his single goal now is to protect employees and all of the people and businesses who rely on his companies from the consequences of his actions.

“I will do everything I can to make sure that the Port of New Bedford remains America’s leading fishing port,” he added.

A prosecutor said in court that Rafael faces a prison sentence of about four to five years.

The magnate was indicted on 27 counts last May and remains free on USD 2 million bond. Sentencing is scheduled for June 27.

As to what happens now to his vast holdings and hundreds of state and federal fishing permits in one of America’s most lucrative commercial fishing ports, so far neither prosecutors nor NOAA Fisheries has addressed the ultimate dispensation of his assets and permits. 

Reported article:

- 'Codfather' seafood mogul pleads guilty in fish scam

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