A Bergen County woman has admitted to making false statements to the authorities.
Vaidehi A. Patel, 26, of Little Ferry, N.J., pleaded guilty to knowingly making materially false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
According to documents filed in the case, Patel had agreed to work as a confidential source for HSI in January 2012, but then informed a number of people about her cooperation and HSI’s investigation into Vision Career Consultants and PC Tech Learning Center for visa fraud and other crimes.
One of the individuals she told was someone about whom HSI had asked her to keep quiet, and on January 30, 2012, Patel lied to special agents when she told them that she had not told anyone about her cooperation or the investigation.
Patel denied that she had told H.P. about the investigation.
The charge to which Patel pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2013.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman credited special agents from Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Andrew M. McLees in Newark, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shana W. Chen of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit in Newark.
Patel is represented by Joseph D. Rotella Esq., of Newark.
Related Federal Cases
- Timothy P. Foster, False Statements to Federal Authorities, Pennsylvania 2016 · Washington
- Doreen A. Gentile, Mail Fraud and Filing a False Income Tax Return, New Jersey 2009 · Pennsylvania
- Ronald W. David, Making Materially False Statements, Virginia 2015 · Virginia
- Hiral Patel, Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice, New Jersey 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Sato Satka, Bank Fraud, New Jersey 2024 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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