KEY WEST - The organizers of a sailboat race from Key West to Cuba have been indicted on two counts of providing unlicensed travel services to the Communist island nation, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Thursday.
Peter Goldsmith and Michele Geslin ran the race in violation of the Trading With The Enemy Act, federal officials said. The first count of the indictment could carry as much as a five-year prison term and $250,000 fine; the second count has a maximum sentence of 10 years and possible fine of $100,000.
Crews competing in the Key West Sailing Club Conch Republic Cup departed May 22, 2003, for Havana and several Cuban shore communities after receiving pre-race warnings they would be violating U.S. Department of Commerce licensing regulations.
A call placed to the sailing club Thursday evening rang unanswered. Sailors in the race brought humanitarian aid, including medicine and food for the Cuban people.
