8 Years for Cheating Immigrants

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 8:26 PM

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While I was in Washington D.C. I found this article in the back pages. This
documented proof of visa fraud should have received more attention.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49894-2002Oct18.html

8 Years for Cheating Immigrants

By Tom Jackman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 19, 2002; Page B03

A key figure in a scheme by an Arlington law firm to defraud thousands of
immigrants was sentenced yesterday to more than eight years in prison, and
federal authorities announced a plan to help repay the immigrants using $4
million of the defendant's money.

Ronald W. Bogardus, 65, a fire safety engineer for the State Department and
the former fire marshal of California, was arrested in July along with
lawyer Samuel G. Kooritzky, 63, who operated the Capital Law Centers in
Arlington, Washington and Takoma Park. The law firm specialized in
immigration cases, particularly helping immigrants obtain "green cards" for
permanent residency.

For many, the process of getting a green card involves obtaining labor
certification, in which an employer states that the immigrant is needed for
a particular job and that no U.S. citizen is available. Bogardus admitted he
used his State Department identification while visiting businesses in
Northern Virginia to learn the names and titles of managers. That
information was listed on the labor certifications, particularly from
restaurants such as Chili's, Applebee's and the Silver Diner. Prosecutors
allege that Kooritzky submitted more than 2,700 applications without the
businesses knowing.

Kooritzky's firm charged immigrants between $8,000 and $20,000 for a labor
certification application to a state Labor Department and then a green card
application based on the labor certification. Immigrants said they didn't
know the scheme was illegal. Kooritzky advertised on Spanish-language
television and placed full-page ads in Latino newspapers that declared, "If
You Don't Have a Sponsor, We Can Help You Find One," according to court
papers.

A Colombian woman who lives in Maryland said in an interview last month that
she "had no reason to believe that they were doing something illegal"
because the law office was big and busy and advertised widely. Her documents
show she agreed to pay Capital Law Centers $8,500.

Federal agents found $1 million cash in Bogardus's Arlington apartment when
he was arrested. Court records show he had $2.5 million in a bank account
and $500,000 more in assets. As part of his plea agreement, Bogardus will
forfeit all $4 million. U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris will appoint a
receiver to review claims from people who allege they were defrauded by
Capital Law Centers, and the receiver will recommend who is repaid.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Morton said after the receiver is appointed,
a special hotline will be established for claimants to call. A Justice
Department official said the program would focus on restitution to victims
and would not seek to deport applicants.

Not long after Bogardus and Kooritzky were arrested, Bogardus began
cooperating with investigators. He pleaded guilty in August to one count
each of conspiracy, labor certification fraud, money laundering, immigration
fraud and extortion. Cacheris sentenced him to 97 months. Kooritzky,
indicted last month on 38 counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering,
is scheduled for trial in December.

"Many of the immigrants involved have lost their life savings," Morton said.
"Much of what Mr. Bogardus did the last few years was a lie."

Bogardus spoke briefly yesterday, apologizing to the court "and to anybody
that was harmed or disturbed by my actions.

"I accept full responsibility for my actions," he said.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company

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