The Big Dig Presents: Catching The Codfather
GBH News
A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against an overbearing state. So who is Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael really – a folk hero, a crook, a righteous rebel, a selfish conman? In Season 3 of The Big Dig podcast, “Catching The Codfather,” we go down to the docks. It’s a place where food, work, nature, money and politics all meet – where dreams are born, fortunes ruined, and where the watchful eye of the government is always present. The series traces the rise of Carlos Rafael and his escalating conflict with the government, because to judge the crimes of The Codfather, you also have to judge the whole system that he chose to break. --------------------------------------“This is a town where there are three pastimes: politics, sports and revenge.” The town is Boston.Seemingly dry topics become gripping political dramas in this Peabody Award winning show from creator Ian Coss and GBH News. Each season of “The Big Dig” uncovers a different facet of society – infrastructure, gambling, food, healthcare – together the pieces connect to tell the story of modern America. Season One: "The Big Dig" The highway project known as “The Big Dig” is infamous – a shorthand for government failure – but it all started as one engineer’s dream to correct the wrongs of the past, and its legacy is far from simple. Season Two: "Scratch & Win" America’s most successful state lottery – and its greatest innovation, the scratch ticket – all starts with mafia bookmakers and state bureaucrats going toe to toe in a battle to own the future of gambling. Season Three: "Catching The Codfather"A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against the state.--------------CREDITS:Host & Creator: Ian CossExecutive Producer: Devin Maverick RobinsProducer: Isabel HibbardStory Editor: Lacy Roberts Contact us as thebigdig@wgbh.org
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 25, 2026 • 43min
Have we entered a new era for government regulation?
John Vecchione, senior litigation counsel at the New Civil Liberties Alliance who took fisheries cases to the Supreme Court. He recounts overturning the Chevron Doctrine and how that shifted judicial treatment of agency power. He explains choosing fishermen plaintiffs, strategic circuit filings to force review, and what major regulation fights may come next.
Mar 18, 2026 • 1h 8min
Catching The Codfather | 6. It’s Your Job to Catch Me
Carlos Rafael, a New Bedford fishing figure who built a vast groundfish empire and faced fraud prosecutions. The conversation follows the undercover IRS tactics, a casual lunch that sparked a breakthrough, and the tense surveillance that traced cash to Portugal and airport contacts. It also covers the legal and regulatory fallout for the port, permit freezes, fleet sales, and the lingering local impact.
Mar 11, 2026 • 1h 1min
Catching The Codfather | 5. Painting Fish
Agents uncover secret ledgers and a cryptic system called "painting fish" that explains a major seafood fraud. NOAA scientists decode the jargon and reveal how survey methods and quota rules made misreporting possible. The story tracks changing survey gear, quota cuts, choke species problems, and how vertical integration and the auction system enabled the scheme.
Mar 4, 2026 • 53min
Catching The Codfather | 4. Mosquitos on the Balls of an Elephant
Carlos Rafael, fishing tycoon nicknamed the 'Codfather,' built a vast New England seafood empire and drew federal scrutiny. The conversation covers his rise from local benefactor to controversial power broker. It explores catch-share rules, quota consolidation, dangerous fishing practices, and heated council battles. Tension grows as small fishermen clash with a man who amassed boats and influence.
23 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 49min
Catching The Codfather | 3. Punch in the Kisser
Carlos Rafael, a New Bedford fishing figure who lived the grind and controversy of commercial fishing. He recounts clashes with regulators, the 1991 lawsuit that reshaped management, upheaval from Amendment 5, protests on the water, and his 1994 price-fixing trial. The conversation focuses on regulation, community conflict, and the stormy shift in fisheries life.
14 snips
Feb 18, 2026 • 54min
Catching The Codfather | 2. I Hope Those People Sink
A tense 1980s waterfront strike and how one fisherman used chaos to expand his power. The mechanics of the fish auction and lightning-fast bidding tactics. International rulings and a split over George’s Bank that crippled New Bedford’s economy. Dealers relocating the auction and the violent escalation around the yellowbird market. Early signs of overfishing and looming legal trouble.
Feb 17, 2026 • 3min
The Big Dig is ON TOUR
A live tour tackling aging urban highways that slice through American neighborhoods. Short talks and debates will cover removal, caps, tunnels, and how fixes affect air quality and redevelopment. The series spotlights funding challenges and the risk of gentrification. Live tapings invite audience questions and local conversations in ten cities.
23 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 56min
Catching The Codfather | 1. Red Lobster
Carlos Rafael, a New Bedford fishing magnate who built Carlos Seafood into a regional powerhouse. He recounts his rise from the Azores to running a vast fleet. The story covers booming modernization, federal loans, shrinking quotas by 2015, a suspicious sale meeting with covert buyers, and the shocking discovery of hidden cash ledgers tied to an illicit fish network.
Feb 4, 2026 • 4min
Introducing Season Three: Catching The Codfather
A fishing tycoon is arrested in an elaborate sting operation, but claims he’s the real hero fighting back against an overbearing state. So who is Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael really – a folk hero, a crook, a righteous rebel, a selfish conman? In Season 3 of The Big Dig™ podcast, “Catching The Codfather,” we go down to the docks. It’s a place where food, work, nature, money and politics all meet – where dreams are born, fortunes ruined, and where the watchful eye of the government is always present. The series traces the rise of Carlos Rafael and his escalating conflict with the government, because to judge the crimes of The Codfather, you also have to judge the whole system that he chose to break.For instant access to the whole season, join The Big Dig membership program. Learn more at wgbh.org/hovlane. Major sponsorship for Catching The Codfather is provided by Roger’s Fish Co.
Jan 28, 2026 • 6min
HOV Lane Ahead
Your official invitation to join The Big Dig membership program. Listen on for details, sign up at wgbh.org/hovlane
