John Castiglione, Bulk Cash Smuggling, Massachusetts 2014

Former Pittsfield Attorney Smuggles $125,000 into U.S., Faces Charges

A former Pittsfield attorney has been sentenced in federal court in Springfield for his role in smuggling $125,000 into the United States from Bermuda.

John Castiglione, 75, was sentenced to one year of probation and forfeiture of $125,000 by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni on an unspecified date. Castiglione had pleaded guilty to one count of bulk cash smuggling on March 22, 2019.

According to court documents, Castiglione attempted to mail two packages containing $60,000 and $65,000 from Bermuda to his residence in Pittsfield on approximately May 2, 2014. The packages were seized by law enforcement officers in the United States, and Castiglione subsequently admitted to intentionally evading federal reporting requirements.

Castiglione stated that he did not want to pay any taxes and fees, and initially provided contradictory statements regarding the origin of the $125,000, including a false claim that the money might have been owned by a client of his law practice.

Castiglione agreed to resign from the practice of law and to never again seek admission to the bar as part of his plea agreement.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.

Castiglione's actions were a clear violation of federal reporting requirements, and we are pleased that he has been held accountable for his actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/former-pittsfield-attorney-sentenced-bulk-cash-smuggling