BROCKTON — A judge sentenced Brockton’s Manuel G. Ramos to a year in jail for stealing $106,000 from his former business partner, Chenet Sam.
“What makes it devastating, Your Honor, was he was my friend,” said Sam, owner of The Spot, a 133 N. Main St. nightclub. He spoke evenly and forcefully as he made a victim impact statement to Superior Court Justice Michael A. Cahillane.
The money came from a federal COVID relief loan that Sam must repay. The note is $600 a month for 20 years, Sam told the court.
What happened?
Assistant District Attorney Alexander C. Zane sought to prove that Ramos was stealing when he took $106,000 out of The Spot’s business account in July 2021, shortly after the U.S. Small Business Administration approved a $119,300 disaster relief loan. In an oversight that Sam’s attorney called an “error [that] proved fatal,” Sam left Ramos’ name on the signature card for the business account at Rockland Trust. Ramos spent the money immediately to pay personal debts, including $47,000 in federal taxes, the state alleges. Ramos also cut a $50,000 check to Adelito Vieira, who used to own the club with Ramos when it was known as Starz.
Courtroom was full of family and friends
The sentencing hearing, held Oct. 31 at Brockton Superior Court, drew about 60 friends and family of both men to the chamber…