![Carlos Rafael’s Bookkeeper Being Cleared of Charges Ahead of Trial](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2016/05/CARLOS-RAFAEL.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Carlos Rafael’s Bookkeeper Being Cleared of Charges Ahead of Trial
Federal prosecutors are looking to dismiss charges against the bookkeeper of fishing magnate Carlos Rafael.
In a motion filed today in U.S. District Court in Boston, prosecutors are seeking to drop charges against Debra Messier, who was arrested in February along with Rafael for lying to federal authorities about what species and the amount of fish Rafael's boats were catching in order to avoid federal quotas.
The dismissal of charges comes ahead of Rafael's trial, which is scheduled to begin in January of 2017. Prosecutors say the dismissal motion was filed "in the interests of justice."
More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420
![21 Dogs Rescued From New Bedford Home Are Ready for Adoption](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2024/07/attachment-pups.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Robot Cuts the Ribbon on New Bedford’s Research & Robotics Lab](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2024/07/attachment-214.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Bedford House Fire Displaces Two Residents](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-41.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![A New Bedford Man is Dubbed a Hero After Saving Four Neighbors from Blazing House Fire](http://townsquare.media/site/519/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-27.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fall River’s Historical Standup Comedy Event at Battleship Cove](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2024/07/attachment-210.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Bedford Mother of Deceased Infant Found at Fort Taber Arraigned](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2023/12/attachment-Fort-Taber.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Bedford, MA Seaport Art Walk Is a Chance to Enjoy Public Art](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2024/07/attachment-Brooke-Mullins-Doherty-at-Seaport-Art-Walk-2023-Photo-by-Josh-Souza1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Bedford, Massachusetts Fire Museum Honors Fire Service History](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2024/07/attachment-FIRE-MUSEUM-.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Bedford Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Gun Charges](http://townsquare.media/site/518/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-38.jpg?w=980&q=75)