Ep 17. Something's Fishy: The Codfather

In American Greed season 12 episode 17 entitled "Something's Fishy: The Codfather," the show delves into the story of Carlos Rafael, also known as the "Codfather," a notorious New England fisherman, and his elaborate scheme to illegally catch and sell fish, defraud the government and cheat his business associates.

The episode begins by introducing the audience to Rafael, a self-made multi-millionaire with a rags-to-riches story. Rafael, who had immigrated to the United States from Portugal as a young man, entered the fishing industry in the 1980s and quickly built a fleet of fishing boats that dominated the New Bedford, Massachusetts fishing industry. Over the years, he expanded his business to include a seafood processing plant, a wholesale business, and restaurant.

Despite his success, Rafael had a dark side. He was a notorious rule-breaker in the fishing industry, known for his illegal fishing practices, like harvesting fish over the legal limit, catching prohibited species, and mislabeling his catch. Despite being repeatedly caught by authorities, Rafael was only ever slapped with minor fines, which he saw as a cost of doing business.

As the show progressed, viewers were introduced to the various scams Rafael orchestrated over the years, including his scheme to defraud the government's fishing quota system, where he bribed his workers to report lower fish catches than what they had actually caught. By under-reporting his catch, Rafael was able to continue harvesting fish over the legal limit, which he then sold on the black market for significant profits.

The episode also highlighted Rafael's business relationships, many of which ended in bitter disputes and legal battles. Rafael was sued for fraud by a former business partner, who alleged that Rafael had promised him a percentage of the profits from a new fish processing plant but failed to deliver. The Codfather was also accused of selling subpar quality fish to his clients, which led to him being blacklisted by major seafood buyers.

Despite these setbacks, Rafael continued to grow his empire, employing over 300 people and reaping millions in profits. He also indulged in a lavish lifestyle, including buying yachts and high-end properties.

The final act of the episode recounted Rafael's dramatic downfall. In 2015, the IRS investigated Rafael's business practices, and the Codfather was charged with 28 counts of fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy. Among other things, Rafael was accused of mislabeling over 700,000 pounds of fish, which he sold under the guise of a more valuable catch, like haddock or sea scallops. He was also charged with smuggling money to Portugal, where he stashed over $600,000 in a bank.

In an unexpected twist, Rafael eventually pleaded guilty to criminal charges and cooperated with investigators, revealing the extent of his illegal practices in exchange for a lesser sentence. The episode concludes with Rafael's sentencing hearing, where he received a 46-month prison sentence and millions of dollars in fines and forfeitures. The Codfather's empire was dismantled, and his employees were left without jobs.

Overall, American Greed season 12 episode 17 offers a detailed and fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the most infamous figures in the New England fishing industry. The episodes' blend of interviews with those who knew Rafael and archival footage offers a compelling and nuanced portrait of a complex man who built an empire on illegal and unethical practices.