News Summary
Jimmy Soares De Oliveira Carvalho and Jose Rivelino Serafim Da Silva have been indicted on 17 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering involving an alleged operation that laundered $74 million through shell companies. The pair reportedly created ten fake companies to cash checks, charging significant fees while employing undocumented laborers. They face potential sentences of 20 years in prison, with further investigations leading to multiple lawsuits against the companies involved.
Charleston, West Virginia – Two men from Berkeley County, Jimmy Soares De Oliveira Carvalho, 46, and Jose Rivelino Serafim Da Silva, 51, have been indicted on 17 counts of money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering by a federal grand jury. The charges stem from an alleged operation that laundered approximately $74 million through a network of shell companies posing as construction firms.
The indictment claims that Carvalho and Da Silva created ten shell companies that facilitated the cashing of checks from January 2017 until their arrests. They reportedly charged fees of 3 to 5 percent per transaction to cash these checks, significantly profiting from their illicit activities. Furthermore, the operation was purportedly linked to payments made to undocumented laborers employed in the construction industry, raising legal concerns regarding labor practices.
Da Silva was arrested on May 21, found in possession of $7,000 in cash and checks intended for cashing at local banks, which further implicated him in the money laundering scheme. Federal agents from the IRS and ICE executed simultaneous raids, targeting locations including an apartment complex in Hanahan. During these raids, agents seized substantial evidence including financial records and $120,000 in cash.
Both Carvalho and Da Silva could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the money laundering charges, with additional counts potentially carrying up to 10 years each. Also, Carvalho faces an extra charge of witness tampering; he allegedly intimidated a cooperating witness involved in cashing checks connected to the scheme.
Investigation findings reveal evidence linking Carvalho to several Brazilian bank accounts, one of which contained $55,000. Da Silva, who has lived in the U.S. for six years under a visa, raised concerns about flight risk considerations during a bail hearing, which resulted in the judge denying him bail. Carvalho waived his right to a bail hearing and remains in custody.
Authorities conducted extensive surveillance on both men, monitoring their movements and banking activities that included meetings at various banks throughout the Charleston area. The indictment indicates that the duo established bank accounts for laundering proceeds from illegal transactions.
In the wake of the investigation, it has surfaced that up to ten different lawsuits have already been filed against the shell companies operated by Carvalho and Da Silva. These lawsuits involve allegations of construction defects and breach of contract, illustrating the impact of the alleged scheme on the local construction industry. Many contractors had reportedly sought out Carvalho, Da Silva, and their associates linked to the eleven limited liability companies implicated in this case.
Prosecutors are actively reviewing whether to file further charges or take additional action against the various companies involved in this extensive money laundering operation. The ongoing investigation highlights potential legal and regulatory implications for the construction sector in the region, as federal agencies continue to crack down on fraudulent practices and illegal employment practices.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Charleston Money Laundering Scheme
- Wikipedia: Money Laundering
- Live 5 News: Berkeley County Money Laundering Indictment
- Google Search: Money Laundering Schemes
- SC Daily Gazette: indicted in $30M Money Laundering Scheme
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Money Laundering
- WIS TV: Authorities Announce Indictment
- Google News: Charleston Money Laundering
