[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 19 (Monday, February 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          KEY DOCUMENTS PROVE INNO- CENCE OF JOSEPH OCCHIPINTI

                                 ______


                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 1994

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, as part of my continuing efforts to bring 
to light all the facts in the case of former Immigration and 
Naturalization Service agent Joseph Occhipinti, I submit into the 
Record the second part of a sworn affidavit from one Luis Rodriguez:

                  Sworn Affidavit From Luis Rodriguez


                          nurys travel agency

       (1) On April 27, 1991, I met with Nurys Brito, the owner of 
     Nurys Travel located at 1 West 182 Street, Bronx, New York. 
     At that time, I told Nurys that I was a drug dealer from New 
     Jersey and had never filled any income tax paper with the 
     IRS. I told Nurys I was trying to bring a relative to the 
     United States with a green card and needed false tax papers 
     to show I worked and paid taxes. During that conversation, I 
     told her that I was also looking for a new agency to send my 
     drug money to the Dominican Republic. She told me that the 
     maximum she consent was 5,000 Dollars. However, agreed to 
     discuss this matter further. Nurys attitude was positive and 
     she appeared to be interested in my deal.
       (2) On April 30th, 1991, I returned to see Nurys at the 
     travel Agency in order to finish our discussion. She was very 
     nervous, but agreed to make a phone call about the money 
     transfers. I overheard Nurys tell someone on the phone that 
     she did not personally know me, and hang up the phone. Nurys 
     told me in a changed attitude that they would not do anything 
     illegal at the travel agency. I had learned from Nurys 
     Secretary that she had attended an earlier meeting with the 
     prosecutor. I believe it was the same meeting ``Santana'' 
     told me about with the prosecutor warned the witnesses to be 
     careful.


                      checo grocery/medina grocery

       (1) On April 20, 1991, I bought from the Checo Grocery 
     located at 421 Audubon Ave., New York, New York, a bottle of 
     untaxed Dominican rum. I also discussed with one of the 
     employees the sale of the stolen beer, as well as the 
     purchase of a case of untaxed rum for a hundred and fifty 
     Dollars (US$150.00). The employee whose name was Checo agreed 
     to buy ten cases of the stolen beer at five ($5.00 dollars) 
     per case, I also bought a ``bolita''. I was told to call 
     ``Radhames'' on April 23rd, 1991 at telephone number (212) 
     927 2382. I had learned that ``Radhames'' was the owner of 
     the Medina Grocery and was related to Enrique Checo, both of 
     whom were witnesses against the Officer Occhipinti.
       (2) On April 27, 1991, I called the Medina Grocery and was 
     told that there was no ``Radhames'' there.
       (3) On April 30th, 1991, I called the number given to me by 
     Checo and spoke to someone named Raymundo, regarding the sale 
     of the stolen beer.
       (4) On April 30th, 1991, I went to the Johnny and Ray 
     Grocery at 4163 Broadway, New York, New York. I went there 
     because I was told Enrique Checo was the owner. At that time, 
     I bought a bottle of untaxed Dominican rum.
       (5) I have been informed that Enrique Checo and Leonidas 
     Liberato--Checo testified in the Grand Jury that they were 
     not involved in gambling activities. That testimony was false 
     in view of my investigation.


                             j & m grocery

       (1) On April 22, 1991, I went to the J & M Grocery at 275 
     Wadsworth Ave., New York, New York and placed a gambling bet. 
     I spoke to an employee about the sale of the stolen beer. The 
     employee told me to speak to Maximo the Boss who would be 
     interested.
       (2) On April 30, 1991, I met with Jose Prado at the J & M 
     Grocery. I learned at that time that Mr. Prado was also the 
     owner of the ``El Gigante Grocery''. I spoke to Mr. Prado 
     about the stolen beer, who agreed to buy three hundred (300) 
     cases at seven ($7.00) Dollars per case.
       (3) I have been informed that Mr. Prado denied in the Grand 
     Jury his involvement in illegal activities. That testimony is 
     a lie because I recall also placing a bet at the ``El Gigante 
     Grocery'', which is owned by Mr. Prado.


                              yeya grocery

       (1) On April 22, 1991, I placed a gambling bet at YEYA 
     Grocery located at 1608 Saint Nicholas Ave., New York, New 
     York.
       (2) On May 7, 1991, I went Yeya Grocery and met with Elias 
     Taveras, who was a witness against Mr. Occhipinti. Mr. 
     Taveras was complaining that on May 5th, 1991, the police had 
     gone to his bodega and arrested two of his employees for 
     ``bolitas'' and selling untaxed rum. During the conversation 
     I told Mr. Taveras that I was a drug dealer in New Jersey 
     interested in wiring large amounts drug money to the 
     Dominican Republic. He agreed to help me and brought me into 
     the ``Los Rosantes Travel Agency'', which was next door to 
     the Bodega. Inside the agency, I met a man called Santos who 
     agreed to wire for me twenty five thousand ($25,000) dollars 
     in drug money to the Dominican Republic.
       (3) I have been informed that Mr. Taveras testified in the 
     Grand Jury that he was not involved in gambling activities. 
     That testimony was a lie in view of my undercover 
     investigation.
       (4) I have been informed that Mr. Taveras denied at trial 
     his offer to help me legally wire twenty five thousand 
     Dollars ($25,000) in drug money. That testimony is a lie and 
     could be verified by reviewing the taped conversation.


                          TELEVICINE PRINTING

       (A) On April 19, 1991, I went to the Televicine printing 
     located at the 3785 Broadway, New York, New York. I met the 
     owner, a man called Andres Flores. According to a sign at the 
     store, Mr. Flores prepared income tax papers. I explained to 
     Mr. Flores that I was a drug dealer from New Jersey with no 
     legitimate earnings. I told him I needed false income tax 
     papers in order to get my relative into the United States 
     with a green card. I wanted to show the consulate I was 
     employed and paid my taxes. He agreed to sell me the false 
     tax return for ninety five ($95.00) Dollars. I left Mr. 
     Flores a forty ($40.00) Dollars deposit and was given a 
     receipt. I was told to return on April 20th, 1991 in order to 
     pick up the papers.
       (2) On April 20, 1991 I returned to the Televicine Printing 
     and was given the false income tax papers from Mr. Andres. I 
     paid them fifty ($50.00) Dollars as final payment.
       (3) I have been told that Mr. Flores had testify before the 
     Grand Jury and denied being involved in any illegal 
     activities. Mr. Flores lied to the Grand Jury.


                         UPTOWN TRAVEL SERVICES

       (1) On April 18, 1991, I went to the Uptown Travel Services 
     at 3750 Broadway, New York, N.Y. I met with Raymundo Tejada, 
     the owner who was also a witness against Mr. Occhipinti. I 
     told Mr. Tejada that I was a drug dealer from New Jersey 
     interesting in wiring drug money to the Dominican Republic. 
     We agreed to meet later in order to discuss this matter. I 
     was given his business card.
       (2) On April 20, 1991, I returned to the travel agency and 
     spoke to Mr. Tejada. He agreed to wire twenty five thousand 
     ($25,000) Dollars in drug money to the Dominican Republic. We 
     also discussed his preparing false immigration documents for 
     one of my relatives. During that conversation, I told 
     Raymundo that I was looking for a new source of cocaine in 
     order to get a better price. He told me that he would look 
     around even though he doesn't sell drugs.
       (3) I have been told that Mr. Tejada told the Grand Jury 
     that he was not involved in Illegal activities. That 
     testimony is a lie base upon my undercover work.
       This Affidavit is made freely and voluntarily, and without 
     any pressure or coercion being used.

                          ____________________