Grimy Times has learned that Qiong Lu Pua, a legal permanent resident of the United States, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. through immigration fraud in a three-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.
The jury found that Pua planned and orchestrated two fraudulent marriages so that the foreign national spouses could obtain immigration benefits. Pua instructed members of the conspiracy to open bank accounts, apply for passports, and encouraged them to lie to federal immigration officials.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, obtaining immigration benefits illegally is a continuing problem that threatens the safety of the community. ‘Becoming a legal permanent resident of the United States is an accomplishment that should not be demeaned by the criminal acts of those who enter into fraudulent marriages.’
United States Attorney Alicia A.G. Limtiaco stated that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with federal and local law enforcement partners to put an end to this problem.
The Diplomatic Security Services agency of the Department of State conducted the investigation with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.
Pua will be sentenced on October 30, 2015, and faces a maximum of five years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Russell Lorfing and Ross Naughton.
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Key Facts
- State: Guam
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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