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FEDS: ‘MURACA LINE[D] HIS POCKETS [and] MUST NOW ANSWER FOR HIS FRAUD’

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BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 4-6, 2017) — The Feds in Massachusetts aren’t the only ones to have a determined interest in Patrick Muraca of Nuclea etc. infamy. New York’s FBI also has come-a-callin’. THE PLANET hopes the cigars Uncle Sam says he billed to hoodwinked investors are at least Partagas, not Parodi. As in the latrine, the redolent butts comprise the business end, rings and all.

The New York field office of the FBI says Muraca’s engaged in wire fraud in a case joined at the hip with the Bay State action. This is a criminal charge. For the record, one count of wire fraud upon conviction can bring a maximum of 20 years in the stripey hole. Joon Kim, acting attorney for the U.S. District of New York, says Muraca “promised investors their money would be used to expand his business, but as alleged  … he used those funds to line his pockets.” It seems the only thing Muraca “expanded” was a jump-the-rails ego and an already-ample waistline, or what-for a red Corvette and hummingbird tongues on toast? “Thanks to the investigative work of the FBI,” Kim said, “Muraca must now answer for his fraud.” Muraca was arrested Tuesday morning. Arraignment will be in federal court in Springfield.

Muraca attorney Anthony Doyle did not outright deny the charges. Doyle issued a tortuously wrought statement saying he felt “confident that when we have the opportunity to present our case that a very different set of facts will emerge.” Prior to that unringing endorsement, Doyle said Muraca “takes his fiduciary responsibilities very seriously.”

Of that, THE PLANET has no doubt.

The SEC‘s 18-page filing makes for good summer reading. The court document can be read in its entirety at numerous websites, including iBerkshires and masslive.com. The document asserts that among other irregularities, Muraca “repeatedly took money from [company] accounts, writing checks payable to himself and to friends and family.” The documents also says Muraca used investor funds to pay “his mortgage, his fiancee’s mortgage, and his mother’s mortgage.” The Feds further say that he overdrew company accounts more than once and sunk investor money into his girlfriend’s two restaurants — $45,000 in in Sullivan Station, Lee, and $17,000 at Queenie’s Leenie Teeny Weeny Panini joint in Lenox. Of course, the Lenox greasy spoon (silver, natch) doesn’t bear that name — only something sounding like it. We might say it is homonymic.

WBRK news director Len Bean neatly summed up the biggest question of all as it pertains to the public officials in the moribund city of Pittsfield and the Dem big shots on Beacon Hill: “How could they not know?”

There are many ways to respond.

Corruption.

Malfeasance.

Ignorance.

Stupidity.

Desperation.

As Muraca’s mouthpiece says, the answer can be found in “a very different set of facts” than what Corydon Thurston, Dan Bianchi, and the Gang cited in the Ganga phase of their busted love affair with Polythene Pat.

His loyal girlfriend, meanwhile, continues to do the Tammy Wynette on Facebook. Standing by her man, she thanked her friends for their support. Everyone else, she said, could go fuck themselves.

Class.

Enjoy the weekend, everybody.

——————————————————–

When the knowers don’t know, the guessers guess” — Sir Tiberius Fruitjuice.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

The Usual Disclaimer.

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Pat
Pat
6 years ago

Since local politicians can’t even tell the truth about how many open job positions are available in the area, I don’t hold out much hope of getting to the truth of who knew what and when they knew it. This would only take on urgency in this area if Republican politicians were involved. Then locals would go into overdrive and form investigation committees to get to the truth. Locals will not investigate each other.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Pat
6 years ago

It is all a liberal conspiracy run through the democRAT party.

Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

More pearls of wisdom.

Koz
Koz
6 years ago

He’s so good-looking but he looks like a man.

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

Will this be an investigation that allows following all connected people and complicity? Like the Trump investigation? Will anybody local get themselves caught up in the mess? And if so, will the newspaper tell us about it?

Oh my!

Pat
Pat
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

No, Dusty there will be NO investigation because we live in Massachusetts. The phony investigations into Trump are the only investigations local politicians are interested in.

Still wondering
Still wondering
Reply to  Pat
6 years ago

Probably true, Pat.

C. Trzcinka
C. Trzcinka
6 years ago

The SEC says he “repeatedly took money from [company] accounts, writing checks payable to himself and to friends and family.”

So how exactly are people including city employees supposed to know that this happened? I guess if they received financial statements they might have figured it out with a sources and uses of funds statement. But this is only an annual statement, over what time period did it occur? Investors probably got the SEC investigating after it was obvious from financial statements how the money was not invested. Did Pittsfield hire him to do anything and for how long did it last? (maybe I’m missing a few previous posts…)

Sum Ting Wong
Sum Ting Wong
6 years ago

It was announced today that Murraca is starting a new venture. Backadabooty Technologies will be opening by the end of the year on the site Wal-Mart was hoping to purchase. Murraca hopes to have a cure for hemorrids by 2019. In the meantime he thinks he has an improved formulation for preparation H. Investors have been standing in line and he’s been given a Pittsfield TIF. What a glorious time for the City of Pittsfield.

Pat
Pat
6 years ago

“Typical conservate blaming everyone else for their own personal failures. Should have paid better attention in school, patticakes”

This was Shakes answer to me for not being able to escape Obamacare. He is urging me to get a better job to get off of Obamacare. I said jobs do not grow on trees here in Berkshire County.

Shakes also FAILS TO MENTION that many local companies do not even offer health insurance anymore since Obamacare came on the scene. This from a BB editorial:

“MassHealth is costly, however. It consumes roughly 37 percent of the state’s budget and is projected to climb, crowding out funding for education and transportation. A significant and unanticipated contributor to this rise in cost is the decision of many businesses to stop offering health coverage and sending employees to MassHealth. In a way this could be seen as an endorsement by the employers of government-funded, single-payer health care, but single-payer can’t be done piecemeal without a dedicated funding mechanism and it may be impossible to institute single-payer by an individual state given the tie-ins to federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid. What it really amounts to is a gaming of the system.”

Still wondering
Still wondering
Reply to  Pat
6 years ago

Liberals will leave the safety of their emotions only when kicked in the teeth by reality.

2112
2112
Reply to  Pat
6 years ago

You have a better chance of winning the lottery than finding a good paying job with good benefits in Pittsfield. Lord knows I’ve tried.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
Reply to  2112
6 years ago

The follwing is the ONLY way to find and keep a good job with benefits in Pittsfield!

If you want a good paying job with benefits in Pittsfield, you have to be part of or related to the Good Old Boys network of inbred, interrelated, multigenerational families. If you didn’t win the Pittsfield inbred family “lottery”, then you have to kiss their dirty behinds in Pittsfield.

Examples:

1. Luciforo
(a) Nuciforo’s late-father was a Pittsfield State Senator & Judge
(b) Nuciforo’s late-aunt was a Pittsfield Mayor & BCC Professor
(c) Nuciforo’s uncle was a Pittsfield State Rep

2. Jimmy Ruberto
(a) Ruberto’s late-brother was a Pittsfield D.A. & Judge

3. “Smitty” Pignatelli
(a) Pignatelli’s father was a Berkshire County Commissioner

4. Ben Downing
(a) Downing’s late-father was a Pittsfield D.A.
(b) Downing’s (non-Veteran) uncle runs Soldier On

5. Chris Speranzo
(a) Speranzo’s grandfather was a Democrat and Union boss

6. David Capeless
(a) Capeless’ father was a Pittsfield Mayor

—–

A post by “Eric”, on August 22, 2008:

“The problem with local politics isn’t partisanship. We have a mayor [Jimmy Ruberto] whose brother was DA [the late-Anthony Ruberto]. We have a DA [David Capeless] whose father was Mayor. How many votes did Jerry Doyle Sr. buy [Mayor] Jerry Doyle Jr. with driveway aprons and apartments in public housing? [William] Smitty Pignatelli’s father was County Commissioner. [Chris] Speranzo’s grandfather was a Democrat mover and shaker and union [boss]. Ben Downing’s father [Gerard Downing] was DA and his father enough of a political hack to have an industrial park named after him. [Andrea] Nuciforo’s [II] father [Andrea Nuciforo I] was a [State] Senator [and then a Judge], Uncle [Tom Wojtkowski] was a State Rep and Aunt a Mayor [Anne E. Wojtkowski]. [Kevin] Sherman’s mother is a Del Gallo. The problem around here isn’t partisanship so much as nepotism and incest.”

—–

The Good Old Boys still run the show in Pittsfield!

– Jonathan Melle

Magoo
Magoo
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

Lol
Nilan Alfs date
Mayor anne
Lucifero
Mr sticky fingers , with an unhealthy need for young boys
A sheriff
A judge, not the first, derobed.
Tim the bag man, ” the road was wet” who always drives in the wee hours of the morning in A state police cruiser
With a bag of money
Hazardous on wendell, holy shit Feds be here till 2020. Hmmm!:)
Almost forgot Chris ” i dont find probable cause”
Spitonsu.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Magoo
6 years ago

Maybe if you were qualified with experience and education you could get a good paying job with decent benefits?

Pat
Pat
Reply to  Magoo
6 years ago

I have both Shakes. Experience and education as do many in Pittsfield seeking employment. Don’t believe the hype promoted by local politicians that the local workforce is too stupid to be employed. Not only is that insulting, but it’s NOT TRUE. 0

The only way off of Obamacare is private insurance, but as stated in my previous post many companies are no longer offering insurance and expect people to go on MassHealth.

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  Magoo
6 years ago

Employers of 50 or more employees must provide certain levels of coverage under the affordable care act.

Maybe your degree is worthless?

Marissa
Marissa
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

I am not part of/ or related to any of the above that you have mentioned. I have a fantastic paying position with the lead company of Pittsfield, and great benefits. Perhaps you should re-word your statement, as it is far from true.

Jonathan Melle
Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

How come millions of dollars went missing during the Gerry Doyle administration many years ago, and no one was ever charged? Through present day, no one knows where all the taxpayer money went! Moreover, the disgraced former city treasurer was even given a severance package to keep quiet.

Fast forward to this week, and Patrick Muraca allegedly bilked investors out of approximately $400,000, and he faces multiple federal charges

I guess it boils down to “a government that robs Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul.” (credit: George Bernard Shaw).

But if a businessman allegedly robs investors to pay himself, his girlfriend, and other loved ones, he will likely end up in federal prison.”

– Jonathan Melle

Sum Ting Wong
Sum Ting Wong
Reply to  Jonathan Melle
6 years ago

How come Murraca have lawyer with name Doyle?

Harlan RinkleNutts
Harlan RinkleNutts
6 years ago

Pat, don’t give up your rice portions in prison.

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

Pat, Trump says he has created 1 million new jobs. And the stock market is boiling over with money for investors. If you have not already received your largess as a result of his presidency I am sure you are on his short list to be taken care of. Hang in there.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Dusty,

did you receive your largess as a result of the Obama presidency? We know that progressives have no real concern for the working middle class either because these Progressives have been TAKEN CARE OF financially by the Progressives or they are retired and no longer worry about working class issues.

lakeside
lakeside
6 years ago

it was only a matter of time before this alleged fraud got caught,, one question I have did anyone investigate who Murca hired to do the actual research if any,, were they full time musicians and part time lab rats ??? another question I have is why is his vulgar mouthed girlfriend allowed to still operate a restaurant that belongs to Murcas investors ????

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

Pat ,if Trump killed someone in times square at CNN filmed it and reported it and Trump denied it would you believe CNN or Trump

dusty
dusty
Reply to  The school committee
6 years ago

Even if the killing was recorded in HD color in broad daylight and showed on the NY Giants Jumbotron screen Pat would find a way to blame it on Obama even if he himself was filmed at the same time in Tibet helping to feed hungry children. Her brain is a one way path and does not allow for objective thought processes. I think Hannity put a chip in her noggin.

But I would still buy her a hot dog at a Suns game.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

Progressives are suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome and do not realize it. Help is available.

Thank you for the hot dog offer though. I like honey mustard on it.

Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Reply to  The school committee
6 years ago

SC give it up and concentrate of Pittsfield.

Trumped Up
Trumped Up
6 years ago

Congressman Rooney was on CNN and was asked about the Trump Wall,and if he thought Mexico would pay for it, here’s His response, well of course they are not going to pay for it. then, a clip was played during the campaign,where it says Mexico will pay for the Wall, that was the Trump statement. Rooney’s response was, ‘maybe the President was being a little exuberant. I swear, he said that.

12 Gauge
12 Gauge
Reply to  Trumped Up
6 years ago

CNN is fake news

Shakes His Head
Shakes His Head
Reply to  12 Gauge
6 years ago

Your mom is fake news.

Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Reply to  Shakes His Head
6 years ago

lovely

Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Non Essere Uno Stronzo
6 years ago

Persip signs popping up all over. Evidence that he’s a Krol Kronie.

LoneGunMan
LoneGunMan
Reply to  Non Essere Uno Stronzo
6 years ago

I have no doubt they invite each other over to play slap ass while doing next to nothing other than further their political ambitions .

Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Non Essere Uno Stronzo
Reply to  LoneGunMan
6 years ago

What is Earl the pearl’s background?

dusty
dusty
6 years ago

Does anyone know what happened to the Berkshire Courier? Can’t seem to find it anywhere.

Pat
Pat
Reply to  dusty
6 years ago

The Courier is on a summer hiatus. That was the last I heard about it several months ago. Hopefully, it will be back soon.

Dan V. should know more about the date it will return since he has written articles for the paper.

The Joker
The Joker
6 years ago

Check out The Planet’s archives for February 25, 2014 and May 14, 2014. Nuclea gets a $510,000 tax break and more interesting facts. DV called right this time.

dusty
dusty
Reply to  The Joker
6 years ago

there will be no paper record of the kickbacks so don’t even bring that up

h
h
Reply to  The Joker
6 years ago

Seems Murac gave Tes a 500 campaign contribution.

Joe Blow
Joe Blow
6 years ago

Mass. RMV employees accused of making fake IDs for people living in U.S. illegally, fraudulently registering them to vote in Boston……are Dems still saying there is no voter fraud?

Wilson
Wilson
Reply to  Joe Blow
6 years ago

They don’t consider that as fraud since they believe foreigners have a right to falsify documents and vote. Noy an exaggeration, that is their “logic”

h
h
6 years ago

Better get rid of sit spotter, it’s more trouble than it’s worth

dusty
dusty
Reply to  h
6 years ago

Did you mean shit spotter?

Paul
Paul
6 years ago

Funny Stuff , in today’s Berk Pigion they feature a story about Presidents Lincoln and Washington hand written letters will be on display.
Who will read them? Certainly not any of our children in public schools. Hell, they can’t be bothered to teach cursive any more .

The school committee
The school committee
6 years ago

Did the City give Murca tax break on his property and where is that property,completely missed this regressive tax give away to corporations by us poor progressive blue collar laborer.