Prison and deportation: Georgians paid dearly for fictitious marriage in the USA
Marilyn Godshall from Wilmington, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to immigration fraud, her daughter and a Georgian citizen were involved in the case. This is stated in a statement on the site. US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The US Internal Security Service has launched an investigation into a fraudulent marriage between the daughter of Godshall, US citizen Melissa Godshall, and citizen of the Republic of Georgia Levan Lomtatidze. Melissa Godshal was married to Lomatidze, and also lived with her real boyfriend Robert Kennerly.
“Fraud marriage in our immigration system is a federal crime,” said Acting Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Ken Cuccinelli. — USCIS does not tolerate those who try to defraud the country. “I commend the professionalism of the USCIS officials who investigated this allegation of a sham marriage, and I also thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts to bring these criminals to justice.”
During the investigation, the agents revealed that the fictitious marriage to Melissa was proposed by Tojiddin Ragimov (a naturalized US citizen from Tajikistan). He walked over to the couple and invited Melissa to marry a foreigner for money. Godshall agreed to marry Lomtatidze in exchange for $ 12 000, housing and a car. The wedding took place in North Carolina.
On the subject: 7 Ways to Protect Your Financial Information from Scammers
During the investigation, it was confirmed that Lomtatidze, Melissa Godshall and Kennerly concluded a lease for a house located in the city of Raleigh (North Carolina). Lomtatidze paid the rent as part of a fake marriage fee. After that, the newlyweds submitted to USCIS a request to change the immigration status of the Georgian since he entered. marriage.
Lomtatidze and Melissa Godshall were interviewed and both claimed that the marriage was not fictitious and that they actually were in a relationship. Georgia was granted US resident status.
On the 18 of September the 2017 of the year, Godschall prepared a statement in support of Lomtatizde's residency statement. The girl considered the marriage legal, knowing that it was concluded with the aim of evading immigration laws.
On the subject: Credit Card Fraud: Xnumx Ways to Cheat
On 27 on August 2019, Lomtatidze was sentenced for conspiring to commit fraud in marriage by United States District Judge Louise Flanagan. He was also ordered to be deported from the United States. On the same day, Melissa Godshall was sentenced to four months in prison.
On 19 of June 2019 of the year and 11 of July of the 2019 of the year Kennerly and Ragimov pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to immigrate fraud through fictitious marriage. They are currently awaiting sentencing.
Read also on ForumDaily:
$ 45 million scam: California scammer stole money from applicants for an investment green card
Why can a green card holder be deported from the USA
Money down the drain: 7 meaningless waste that you make every day
Lied about an incurable disease: a woman from Colorado was accused of dying her own daughter
Fraud in a million: ex-JetBlue employee cheated the airline for a large amount
Avoiding Amazon Scammers: 13 Tips
Credit Card Fraud: Xnumx Ways to Cheat
Subscribe to ForumDaily on Google NewsDo you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.