April 19, 2002

PRESS RELEASE

GRAFTON BUSINESSMAN CONVICTED OF OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, FALSE STATEMENTS, AND IRS VIOLATIONS

Boston, MA... A Grafton man was convicted late yesterday in federal court of obstruction of justice, false statements, and failure to file Internal Revenue Service tax forms.

United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, Michael Lahey, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, and Mark Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, announced that ANTHONY TURANO, age 47, of 110 Fitzpatrick Road, Grafton, Massachusetts, was convicted by a jury sitting before U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton of one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of false statements, and two counts of failing to file Form 8300 with the Internal Revenue Service.

Evidence presented during the six day trial proved that in April, 1999, TURANO, the owner of Right Wheels Auto Sales in Auburn, Massachusetts, falsely responded to a grand jury subpoena. The subpoena was issued to Right Wheels in April 1999, and sought all records kept by Right Wheels regarding the sale of a Mercedes Benz. TURANO responded to the subpoena by submitting a false document that showed Right Wheels sold the Mercedes Benz to Mark A. Fortes, a convicted drug dealer from Milford, Massachusetts, for a price of $9,900. In fact, TURANO sold the car for twice that much, $20,000. In addition, TURANO falsely stated to an Assistant U.S. Attorney and two DEA Special Agents investigating the matter, that the cost of the Mercedes had been so low because it had a bad engine and it needed a paint job. In fact, the car was in good condition and no paint job was needed.

The evidence also showed that Fortes purchased the Mercedes Benz for $20,000 in cash, and that TURANO did not file a Form 8300, an IRS form required to be submitted when a trade or business is involved in cash sales of over $10,000, as he was required to do. Evidence presented in the trial also proved that one month after the sale of the Mercedes, TURANO sold a GMC Yukon for $18,000 in cash and that TURANO again did not file a Form 8300 for that sale as he was required.

Judge Gorton scheduled sentencing for July 3, 2002. TURANO faces up to10 years' imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan M. Poswistilo in Sullivan's Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Elizabeth Carmody in Sullivan's Worcester office.

Press Contact: Samantha Martin, (617) 748-3139