Man Arraigned On Shellfish Scam

Wed., Sept. 6, 2000

A Seattle shellfish wholesaler was arraigned in Port Orchard, Wash., Tuesday on charges that he bought and sold thousands of pounds of Manila clams illegally harvested two years ago on Kitsap County beaches, including a federal Superfund Site.

State Health Department officials say it is highly unlikely that any of the 9,643 pounds of potentially contaminated clams allegedly purchased and distributed in 1998 by The Best Fish Company LLC are still in restaurants or supermarkets.

Michael Brendan Mahaffey, 34, owner of The Best Fish Company LLC, pleaded not guilty in Kitsap County Superior Court to three felony counts of unlawful trafficking in shellfish, one felony count of unlawful use of fish buying and dealing licenses, and one count of unlawful possession and sale of shellfish not grown in approved areas, a gross misdemeanor.

A trial date has been set for Nov. 13. Each of the felony counts carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

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Man Arraigned On Shellfish Scam

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