Sudbury Man Facing Attempted Murder Charge Has Criminal Past

This isn't the first time William Camuti has gone before a judge.

The Sudbury man arrested Friday in connection with the death of Stephen Rakes, a witness in the Whitey Bulger trial, was convicted for mail fraud about 20 years ago.

According to caselaw.findlaw.com, in a jury trial beginning in September 1993, Camuti was tried on 13 counts of mail fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors by obtaining their funds through false representations.  

On Oct. 18, 1993, the jury acquitted Camuti on two counts and convicted him on the remaining 11 counts. Camuti was sentenced on Feb. 28, 1994 to 116 months imprisonment and ordered to pay $2,528,000 in restitution. 

Middlesex County DA Marian Ryan on Friday said Camuti, 69, was charged with attempted murder, misleading the police and unlawful disposition of human remains. 

He was arrested on Friday and arraigned at Concord District Court Friday afternoon. He pled not guilty, according to WHDH.

A murder charge has not been filed because the medical examiner is still waiting on test results.

Ryan said during a press conference Camuti poisoned Rakes over a bad business deal.

"Mr. Rakes and the defendant had known each other for many years," Ryan said. "They had been involved in a number of business transactions. We developed evidence that Mr. Camuti owed Mr. Rakes a significant amount of money."

Rakes’ body was discovered at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 without ID, keys or cell phone.  Lincoln Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office immediately launched an investigation.