BOSTON - A Worcester man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to lying to federal investigators involved in the investigation of Kevin A. Perry, a former Worcester restaurateur.
Christopher Slavinskas, 32, pleaded guilty to making a false statement to federal investigators engaged in a criminal investigation. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for June 29, 2018.
During the summer of 2017, federal investigators interviewed Slavinskas about the concealment of cash proceeds from illegal drug sales associated with Perry. Slavinskas told the investigators that he helped conceal $200,000 on behalf of Stacey Gala, Perry’s wife, and that he returned the $200,000 to Gala after approximately 30 days. In reality, Slavinskas concealed approximately $330,000 in cash proceeds from Perry’s illegal drug sales, but spent at least $130,000 of it on himself and others - returning only $200,000 of the $330,000 to Gala.
In October 2017, Perry pleaded guilty to federal charges of money laundering and fentanyl distribution and is awaiting sentencing. Gala and Joseph Herman, the former manager of The Usual, a restaurant previously owned by Perry, were indicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering in February 2018.
Slavinskas faces a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Raymond Moss, Acting Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service; and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg A. Friedholm of Lelling’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
