July 16th, 2012
Posted in A former U.S. federal immigration intelligence director has been sentenced to 20 months in prison on Friday for fraud.
James M. Woosley, 48, the former acting director of the intelligence office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was sentenced in federal court after being found guilty of convincing four subordinates into fraudulently claiming over $500,000 in fake expense and pay claims.
In May, Woosley pleaded guilty to stealing over $188,000 in a scheme that involved fraudulent travel vouchers and attendance claims.
Three of his subordinates, Stephen E. Henderson, 62; Lateisha M. Rollerson, 38; and Ahmed Adil Abdallat, 64 – also pleaded guilty in the case and were sentenced to varying jail terms and ordered to pay restitution totaling $466,645.
A fourth defendant, William J. Korn, 53, also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
According to U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., Woosley’s scams “cost American taxpayers more than a half million dollars.”
Woosley was formerly in charge of leading the ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ intelligence division, which collects, analyzes and shares information with other law enforcement agencies on immigrant crimes, including from drug and human trafficking.
Woosley isn’t the first ICE official to be accused and convicted of criminal activity. Between October 2004 and May of this year, 138 U.S. customs and border protection officers and border patrol agents were arrested or indicted for corruption, including drug and illegal immigrant smuggling and money laundering.
It is ironic that many of the same officials who try to arrest immigrants just because they don’t have legal paperwork are guilty of even more serious crimes. Luckily for foreigners, immigration lawyers are here to help.
Immigration attorneys assist with matters including legal status, family reunification and criminal charges. They will fight for your rights and ensure your case ends positively.
Call to schedule an appointment with an immigration lawyer today.
Tags: American Taxpayers, Border Patrol Agents, Customs And Border Protection, E Henderson, Family Reunification, Federal Immigration, Human Trafficking, Immigration And Customs Enforcement, Immigration Attorneys, Immigration Lawyers, Intelligence Division, Intelligence Office, Legal Paperwork, Rollerson, Security Investigations, Serious Crimes, Travel Vouchers, U S Customs And Border Protection, U S Immigration And Customs Enforcement, Woosley