BOSTON — The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a civil forfeiture action seeking to recover $70,000 in cash and two Rolex watches allegedly obtained through wire fraud and involved in money laundering.
Authorities seized the items on Jan. 20, 2024, during a traffic stop of Michael McInerney and Crystel O’Reilly, neither of whom had a driver’s license or legal status in the United States. Officers found $30,000 in one sock, $40,000 in another, and two luxury watches inside a white trash bag in their vehicle.
McInerney, identified as a suspected member of a transnational organized crime group, is accused of running construction, paving, and roofing fraud schemes targeting homeowners—often elderly—across the U.S. Victims reportedly paid large sums for work that was either incomplete or overcharged, while the perpetrators falsely represented themselves as licensed contractors.
Investigators interviewed homeowners in Somerville and Cambridge, Massachusetts. One 75-year-old Somerville resident withdrew $199,500 from his retirement account to pay for work that was never completed. A 78-year-old Cambridge resident was charged $80,000 for work valued at roughly $30,000.
Further investigation revealed a Washington, D.C. homeowner obtained a $60,000 default judgment against McInerney and associate Terrence Connors after discovering they were not legitimate contractors.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol announced the forfeiture, noting assistance from the Quincy Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Annapurna Balakrishna of the Asset Recovery Unit.
The forfeiture complaint contains allegations. The U.S. must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the property is subject to forfeiture.
