October 6, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Richard and Ray Canastra offered $93 million to purchase 42 permits and 28 vessels as part of a “global settlement” which would remove Carlos Rafael from the commercial fishing industry, Richard Canastra told The Standard-Times on Thursday.
The brothers approached Rafael about six months ago, Canastra said, offering the fishing mogul, who pleaded guilty to falsifying fishing quota, bulk cash smuggling and tax evasion in March, a way out of the industry. The deal would include Rafael’s fleet of scallopers and accompanying permits.
Canastra said, Rafael mulled the offer over for a few days before negotiations began. The two parties eventually entered into a Memorandum of Agreement, which was mentioned in court documents. The Canastras weren’t revealed as the buyers until Rafael’s sentencing on Sept. 25.
While the Canastras and Rafael have agreed, the deal isn’t complete. NOAA and the U.S. Attorney haven’t taken a final position on the proposed sale, according to court documents.
Canastra said he “didn’t know” how likely the agreement was to becoming a done deal.
“We’re just waiting,” Canastra said. “The government has all our deal structure. We presented it to the government. They know the deal and how Carlos would stay out of the business.”