Proprieters of money-transfer businesses in Bridgeport and Danbury were indicted on federal charges of money laundering, allegedly transferring $22 million in funds to Brazilian counterparts while operating without a license.
A grand jury indicted Shelton residents Nilander DeOliveira and Andrea DeOliveira, who ran BrazUSA Enterprises L.L.C. in Bridgeport. Nilander DeOliveira also operates Oliveira & Oliveira Construction L.L.C. and Oliveira Building Contractors L.L.C. from the same Bridgeport location.
Also charged in connection with the alleged crimes were Waterbury resident Marco Mansur, who owns Danbury-based Ben Brasil; and New Milford residents Renata Amaral and Monica Teixeira, who owned RM Insurance in Danbury
The Internal Revenue Service said the agencies are part of a network of money transfer agents in Brazil and the U.S. that has dodged Brazilian taxes on currency exchange.
According to the IRS, Brazil-based brokers collect Brazilian reais from businesses that wish to purchase dollar-denominated goods. After extracting a fee, the Brazil broker then delivers the balance to a counterpart broker in the U.S. who represents a customer. In turn, the U.S. broker supplies dollars collected from its customer to the vendor of the Brazilian business.
Prosecutors allege the DeOliveiras consented to transferring money from a purported drug sale, after being asked to do so by an undercover agent.
