Peter Kalimu, a 52-year-old Rwandan native living in Buffalo, NY, has admitted to lying on his U.S. citizenship application, falsely denying he had ever used another name, federal prosecutors announced today. Kalimu pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., to one count of making a materially false statement—a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cantil, who is prosecuting the case, Kalimu intentionally concealed that he was previously known as Fidele Twizere. On his naturalization petition, when asked whether he had ever used another name, Kalimu answered “none.” That answer, prosecutors say, was a deliberate falsehood designed to block federal authorities from uncovering his full identity and past.
The deception didn’t stop there. In November 2014, Kalimu doubled down on the lie, providing a sworn letter to Homeland Security investigators asserting he had never used any name other than Peter Kalimu—neither in the United States nor in Rwanda. That statement, authorities say, directly interfered with the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to conduct a thorough background check before approving his application for U.S. citizenship.
Investigators say the false claims could have masked deeper issues tied to his eligibility for naturalization, including potential criminal history or ties to past identities under scrutiny. By withholding his former name, Kalimu obstructed the very system meant to vet applicants for national security and legal integrity.
The case was pursued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, in tandem with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under Buffalo District Director Edward A. Newman. Their joint probe uncovered documentation and testimonial evidence that directly contradicted Kalimu’s sworn statements.
Sentencing is set for June 7, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. before Chief Judge Geraci. No plea deal details have been disclosed. Kalimu remains free pending sentencing, but faces the full weight of federal penalties for defrauding one of the nation’s most critical legal processes—becoming an American citizen.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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