September 22, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Carlos Rafael and a potential purchaser have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement regarding a sale of his vessels and accompanying permits that would remove the fishing mogul from the industry, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
Rafael’s sentencing memorandum reiterated the potential deal that was first publicly revealed in July. It also stated that NOAA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office haven’t taken a final position on the proposed sale and didn’t identify the buyer.
The Government’s Sentencing Memorandum, also filed on Wednesday, stated that the sale of Rafael’s entire fleet could be worth $70 million to $80 million to a local buyer.
On Monday, Rafael’s attorney’s filed an Opposition of Forfeiture, which stated a deal for 13 groundfish permits would be valued at $16.3 million. It made no reference, though, to the value of the entire fleet, but still suggested a deal would remove Rafael from the industry.
There are two prominent business in New Bedford that possess the means to inherit the permits: Whaling City Seafood Display Auction and Eastern Fisheries. Neither returned requests for comment.
It all stems from Rafael pleading guilty to falsifying fishing quota and smuggling cash in March. As part of the agreement, 13 vessels and the permits associated are subject of forfeiture.