WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A former restaurant manager has pleaded guilty to using his employer's hidden drug money to open a new restaurant in Massachusetts.
Joseph Herman entered his plea Wednesday in federal court to charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, false statements and tampering with a witness.
Prosecutors say the 37-year-old worked as a manager at Kevin Perry Jr.'s restaurant The Usual in Worcester.
The Usual was shut down in 2017 after police arrested Perry for using funds from drug sales to open the restaurant. Perry pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Authorities say Herman and Perry's wife, Stacey Gala, used hidden money from Perry's drug proceeds to renovate The Usual and open it as The Chameleon.
Gala's case is pending trial.
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