March 31, 2017 — The following is an excerpt from a story published yesterday by the New Bedford Standard-Times:
Carlos Rafael walked into Courtroom 18 on the fifth floor three minutes prior to his scheduled 2:30 p.m. plea hearing in front of Judge William G. Young at U.S. District Court on Thursday.
An hour and 15 minutes later he stood and faced the court clerk and uttered “Guilty,” when she informed him the U.S. Attorney has charged him with 28 counts, including falsifying fishing quotas, false labeling, conspiracy and tax evasion.
“Today I pled guilty to the charges facing me,” Rafael said in a statement released by his lawyers. “I am not proud of the things I did that brought me here, but admitting them is the right thing to do, and I am prepared to accept the consequences of my actions.”
A sentencing hearing was set for June 27 at 2 p.m., when the New Bedford fishing tycoon could face as much as 76 months in prison, although Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling recommended 46 months.
“Mr. Rafael’s scheme not only compromised delicate fish populations, but also profited on the backs of his hard-working crew,” Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb said in a statement.
“Mr. Rafael knew he was breaking the law by falsifying records, evading taxes and smuggling ill-gotten profits to Portugal. Without Mr. Rafael and his scheme, New England fishermen who work hard for honest pay can now enjoy a more level playing field.”