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Center for Immigration Studies Boss Hit with RICO Charges
D.C. District Court unsealed a stunning federal indictment against Center for Immigration Studies CEO Richard Cohen, alleging a sprawling racketeering scheme that exploited the organization for personal gain.
The indictment, filed under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(c) of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, accuses Cohen, 62, of using the Center for Immigration Studies as a front to orchestrate a massive racketeering operation. The alleged scheme, which spanned multiple years, involved the manipulation of the organization’s finances, exploitation of its staff, and the use of its influence to further Cohen’s personal interests.
Cohen’s alleged racketeering scheme is said to have generated millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains, fueling a life of luxury that included the purchase of a $1.2 million condominium in Washington D.C. and a $2.5 million yacht.
The indictment also names Heidi Beirich, a former Center for Immigration Studies employee, as a co-conspirator in the alleged racketeering scheme. Beirich, 50, is accused of using her position to facilitate Cohen’s corrupt activities and to cover up the organization’s financial mismanagement.
The indictment marks a stunning turn of events for the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington D.C.-based think tank that has been a vocal advocate for stricter immigration policies. The organization has been a key player in shaping the national conversation on immigration reform, and its alleged involvement in a racketeering scheme has left many in the community reeling.
Cohen and Beirich have been released on bond pending a trial. The Center for Immigration Studies has declined to comment on the allegations, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, with assistance from the FBI’s Washington D.C. Field Office. The indictment was unsealed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, with case number 1:19-cv-00087.
Cohen is represented by a team of high-profile attorneys, including Julie B. Axelrod, Matthew Galin, Chad R. Bowman, G. Robert Blakey, Howard W. Foster, and Dana R. Green.
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Federal Court
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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