January 23, 2017 — Indicted New Bedford scallops magnate Carlos “Codfather” Rafael has asked the court to postpone his upcoming trial in part to pursue talks with prosecutors about “resolving” the matter, court documents show.
One of Rafael’s attorneys, William Kettlewell, asked the Massachusetts federal court of judge William G. Young to postpone Rafael’s Feb. 13 trial to at least March 20. Young granted the order.
The delay, the second in recent months, is required as Kettlewell is expected to represent a different client in a two-week trial beginning on Jan. 30, the lawyer wrote. But, that time can also be used for negotiations with prosecutors about a possible settlement.
“The short continuance requested in this motion will allow counsel time to complete that trial and complete discussions with the US Attorney’s Office regarding resolving this matter short of trial,” Kettlewell wrote in the motion.
He did not respond to requests from Undercurrent News for comment.