Press Release  Milton, Braintree Men Indicted in Connection with Illegal Tobacco Distribution Scheme

Boston — A Milton man has been indicted in connection with running an illegal tobacco distribution network out of his home and a self-storage facility in Randolph, and a Braintree man has been indicted for delivering the illegal products to retail stores and gas stations across Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. 

James Indelicato, of Milton, age 52, was indicted on Monday by a Suffolk County Grand Jury on the charges of Tax Evasion (two counts), Money Laundering (one count), and Conspiracy (one count). Paul Veneto, of Braintree, age 60, was indicted on the charges of Conspiracy to Commit Tax Evasion and Money Laundering (one count each). The defendants will be arraigned on the charges in Suffolk Superior Court at a later date.

The AG’s Office began its investigation following a referral from the Illegal Tobacco Task Force. 

Authorities allege Indelicato imported smoking tobacco, cigars, and smokeless tobacco from distributors in Pennsylvania and then sold the products via a delivery van to retail stores and gas stations in Abington, Boston, Dedham, Holbrook, Quincy, Randolph, and Weymouth. Indelicato allegedly ran the scheme through his business, MetroMax Inc.

From 2016 through 2018, Indelicato allegedly sold tobacco products that required taxes of over $360,000 and failed to pay any tax associated with the sale and distribution of the products. The AG’s Office alleges Indelicato used the cash paid by retailers to purchase more tobacco products and further the scheme. He allegedly concealed the scheme by purchasing money orders in small amounts.

Under the direction of Indelicato, Veneto allegedly delivered the tobacco products to customers, purchased the money orders to buy more tobacco products, and helped transport tobacco products from staging areas including the Randolph self-storage facility, the Milton residence, and a shipping terminal in Billerica.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Edward Beagan, Senior Trial Counsel in AG Healey’s White Collar and Public Integrity Division with assistance from Financial Investigator Anthony Taylor, of the AG’s Financial Investigations Division, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

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