BOSTON — One of two men charged in connection with a fraud scheme aimed at the operator of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter trains pleaded guilty on Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
John Rafferty, 69, of Hale’s Location, N.H., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and will face sentencing Sept. 18. He could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Rafferty agreed to plead guilty in April to a scheme in which a former official of commuter operator Keolis, John Pigsley, is alleged to have defrauded Keolis of more than $4 million through a false invoicing scheme involving Rafferty’s company, LJ Electric. Rafferty spent more than $3 million on items allegedly for Pigsley and others, such as trucks and home-building supplies, and recovered the costs through invoices to Keolis, while keeping a percentage as profit.
Pigsley, who is also accused of stealing copper wire and selling it for scrap, was arrested in April after being indicted on 17 counts by a federal grand jury [see “Former official charged …,” Trains News Wire, April 6, 2023]. His case is ongoing.
Possible 5 years for $4 million? I’d say he got a bargain.
At least in this case, crime doesn’t pay.
“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows, hah, hah, hah, hah.”