Rahul Malhotra, Making False Statement, Texas 2016

Rahul Malhotra, the 46-year-old principal owner of the Malhotra Law Firm, P.C. in Odessa, is facing up to five years in federal prison for making a false statement to federal authorities.

Malhotra, a citizen of Canada, pleaded guilty today to the charge, announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez, El Paso Division.

Malhotra appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Henry J. Bemporad in San Antonio and admitted to lying to federal authorities about his ownership of the law firm, a violation of his Visa conditions.

According to court records, Malhotra entered the United States on a Non-immigrant 'TN' Visa in March 1997 to begin working at a law firm in Odessa. In 2000, he purchased the practice and the office space from its owner.

When questioned in October 2014, Malhotra told investigators that another lawyer was the majority shareholder of the Malhotra Law Firm when, in fact, he was self-employed as the proprietor of the firm.

Malhotra remains on bond pending sentencing scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on November 17, 2016, before United States District Judge Orlando Garcia.

This investigation was conducted by HSI agents together with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration authorities. Assistant United States Attorney William F. Lewis, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

Malhotra's actions not only put his Visa status at risk but also compromised the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/odessa-lawyer-admits-making-false-statement-federal-authorities