BOSTON (WPRI) — A Swansea company and a number of people are facing charges in what prosecutors call a “major” illegal gambling and money-laundering operation.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office announced grand jury indictments Monday against Televend, Inc. and six individuals accused of being the leaders of the operation. The people charged are:
- Clifford Wilson, 56, of Dighton
- Deodato Faria, 68, of Fall River
- John Camara, 59, of Somerset
- Antone Oliveira, 75, of Fall River
- Natercia Teixeira, 44, of Fall River
- Mario Teixeira, 52, of Fall River
According to the AG’s Office, the scheme involved gambling devices that worked like casino slot machines. Investigators said the machines were sent to dozens of establishments across southeastern Massachusetts.
The AG’s office said parts of Televend’s business were almost entirely cash-based, which made it easier to launder the illegal gambling proceeds.
State police seized several dozen of the gambling machines in a series of raids in late May and early June, the AG’s office said. Police also seized more than $140,000 in cash.
The AG’s office said the defendants would be arraigned in Bristol Superior Court at a later date.
