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Local Restaurant Embroiled in Seafood Misbranding Scheme
A shocking revelation has emerged from the Gulf Coast, as Mary Mahoney’s Old French House, Inc., a prominent restaurant in Biloxi, Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to misbrand seafood and wire fraud. This admission comes after a lengthy investigation by the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations.
According to court documents, the misbranding scheme began as early as 2002 and continued through November 2019. During this period, the restaurant, founded in 1962, fraudulently sold approximately 58,750 pounds (over 29 tons) of fish that was frozen and imported from Africa, India, and South America. The fish was described on the menu as premium higher-priced local species, such as snapper and grouper from the Gulf of Mexico.
Anthony Charles Cvitanovich, 55, a co-owner/manager at the restaurant, also pleaded guilty to misbranding of seafood during 2018 and 2019. Cvitanovich admitted that between 2018 and 2019 alone, he was involved in mislabeling approximately 17,190 pounds of fish sold at the restaurant.
The scheme involved the fraudulent sale of fish by Mahoney’s and its wholesale supplier. Genetic testing of fish by the FDA confirmed the fraudulent scheme. When people spend their hard-earned dollars to enjoy the incredible local seafood on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, they should get what they paid for, not frozen fish from overseas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi announced the guilty pleas. U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee stated, “Mislabeling food and defrauding customers are serious crimes, and this case will help convince restaurants and seafood suppliers that it is not worth lying to customers about what is on the menu.”
Mary Mahoney’s Old French House, Inc. faces a maximum penalty of five years’ probation and a $500,000 fine, or not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, whichever is greater. Cvitanovich faces a maximum penalty of three years of prison and a $10,000 fine. The restaurant and Cvitanovich are scheduled to be sentenced on September 12, 2024.
The guilty pleas mark a significant blow to the reputation of the respected restaurant, which has been a staple of the Biloxi community for over 60 years. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and the consequences of fraudulent business practices.
Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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