November 23, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — More than a year after a judge ordered Carlos Rafael to forfeit four fishing vessels, the government will retain only two, according to court documents obtained by The Standard-Times.

Rafael, who is serving a 48-month prison sentence for falsifying fishing quota, tax evasion and bulk cash smuggling, and the government filed a settlement agreement last Friday. Judge William Young filed a final forfeiture order Monday.

According to the order, the Lady Patricia and all its permits as well as the Olivia & Rafaela and its permits must be forfeited to the United States. A total of $306,490 must also be paid to the United States.

As for the other two vessels seized by the government, the Bulldog will be released to B & D Fishing Corp. and Rafael’s wife, Conceicao, and the Southern Crusader II will be released to R and C fishing Corp., Joao Camarao and Conceicao Rafael. Each shared partial ownership with Carlos Rafael.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times