Alvin Bragg Announces New Indictment
“Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has announced the criminal indictment of a woman accused of stealing legal fees from immigrants attempting to apply for permanent U.S. residency.
Bragg, who has been in the national spotlight in recent years for investigating and later indicting former President Donald Trump on charges of falsifying business records, accused 34-year-old Analie Vargas of preying on "hopeful New Yorkers of all backgrounds" in a press release on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Scroll to continue reading
Vargas, a case manager at a New York firm that specializes in filing immigration applications and divorces, is charged with altering checks that her clients had made out to the Department of Homeland Security to appear as though they were made out to her, stealing at least $17,000 and depositing it into her bank account.
"Analie Vargas allegedly preyed on hopeful New Yorkers of all backgrounds who trusted her to help them apply for permanent residence," Bragg said. "Instead of filing their applications with the fees they provided, she allegedly pocketed the money for herself, spending it on food, travel, and other personal expenses."
The alleged activity occurred from October 2019 to November 2023. Bragg's office accuses Vargas of ignoring phone calls and emails from clients inquiring about the status of their applications, while claiming the "delay" was related to the COVID-19 pandemic to those who did reach her, among other excuses.
Your Morning Starts Here
Begin your day with a curated outlook of top news around the world and why it matters.
"In some instances, Vargas even sent letters that purported to be from USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services], directing the victims to appear for immigration status appointments," the release states.
"When the victims showed up for those appointments, they discovered that they did not have an interview scheduled or any legal representative to assist them," it continues. "None of the victims, who have a variety of national origins, had immigration applications filed on their behalf."
Vargas was charged with one count of scheme to defraud in the first degree, three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. She could face a maximum combined prison sentence of 37 years if convicted on all counts.
It is unclear whether any of the clients were forced to leave the country or suffered any other complications to their immigration status.
Newsweek reached out for comment to Bragg's office via email on Wednesday night.
Read more
- Alvin Bragg made 'beyond foolish' move in Donald Trump trial—legal analyst
- Donald Trump makes his next move against Fani Willis
- Putin ally's warning after assassination attempt in NATO country
- Joe Biden accused of 'political blackface' with Morehouse speech
- Clarence Thomas' latest ruling shocks Supreme Court analysts
Bragg, who has become a highly polarizing political figure due to his Trump indictment, was heavily criticized by conservatives earlier this year after a group of migrants accused of attacking New York City Police Department officers were released from custody without bail shortly after they were arrested.“
No comments:
Post a Comment