As part of ongoing efforts to secure ill-gotten assets obtained by TelexFree co-owner Carlos Wanzeler, the DOJ sought to secure Boynton Beach and Coconut Creek properties in Florida.

The property in question is held in the name of Carlos Wanzeler’s brother Fabio and his wife Claudia.

The DOJ’s motion is part of a superseding indictment filed late last year.

In it, the DOJ alleged millions of dollars of stolen TelexFree investor funds were laundered through the company Nova Title Company.

Nova Title Company then purchased the Boynton Beach property in question, with ownership later transferred to Fabio Wanzeler and his wife.

There was no mention of the how the Coconut Beach property was obtained in the original DOJ forfeiture filing.

In an “Innocent Owner Claim” and subsequent notices filed on July 25th, Fabio Wanzeler claims otherwise.

According to Fabio’s attorney;

Mr. Wanzeler acquired the property through income he received as a partner in two telecommunications business with defendant Carlos Wanzeler.

The businesses were Common Cent’s Communication and Diskavontade.

These businesses are distinguishable from TelexFree, which was identified as a Ponzi scheme in the criminal complaint.

In an accompanying verified claim, Fabio alleges

I worked with my brother Carlos as a partner from approximately 2000 until 2010.

I worked hard and received almost no compensation.

On May 24, 2010, my brother and I resolved the outstanding compensation issues and we agreed that I would receive between $10 and $15 for each client that I had brought into the business.

I received the agreed-upon compensation in 2012 and 2013 and subsequently the property in question.

Purportedly Carlos transferred $300,000 and $280,000 to developers directly to purchase the properties.

Other than Fabio Wanzeler’s sworn deposition, there is no evidence to back up any of the claims made.

The DOJ and DHS meanwhile seem pretty confidence they’ve got evidence tying the properties to illegally obtained TelexFree funds.

Back in February the court agreed and granted the DOJ a restraining order freezing the Boynton Beach property.

Should be interesting to see how this plays out. Stay tuned…