August 30, 2017 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Two parties, including Carlos Rafael’s wife, filed petitions in district court claiming they possess rights to the property listed in the preliminary order of forfeiture, according to court documents submitted Monday.
Conceicao Rafael, who is married to Carlos Rafael, laid out in 45 pages her “rights to certain property” listed in the preliminary order of forfeiture.
In seven more pages, Joao Camara laid out his argument to the rights to Southern Crusader II, one of the 13 vessels listed in the preliminary order of forfeiture. Camara claims ownership through a company named R and C Fishing Corp.
Carlos Rafael pleaded guilty to falsifying fishing quotas, tax evasion and smuggling cash in March. As part of the plea agreement, 13 vessels could be forfeited.
Conceicao’s petition includes statements that she was and remains a 50 percent owner with her husband in 11 “relevant companies.” As part owner in the companies, she listed 11 vessels where she possesses “equitable interest.”