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December 14, 2006

Man admits to illegal marriage scam

A New Bedford man pleaded guilty in federal court today to felony conspiracy for arranging more than a dozen fraudulent marriages for illegal aliens seeking green cards.

Carlos Alberto Da Veiga arranged the marriages, charging each immigrant approximately $5,500 and paying the U.S. citizen $1,500 on the day of the marriage. Additionally, the immigrant had to pay the citizen $200 a month while the immigrant's application for a residency card, also known as a green card, was pending.

Federal agents began investigating Da Veiga after an employee in the Cumberland town clerk’s office reported suspicious behavior by a couple applying for a marriage license. Agents subsequently saw Da Veiga drive a couple from the Cumberland Town Hall to a justice of the peace in Providence, where they married.

Da Veiga was arrested in October after agents seized a ledger from his car containing the names and biographical information of various U.S. citizens and immigrants. Da Veiga later told the authorities that he brought couples to Rhode Island because there is no waiting period after obtaining a license before a couple can marry.

Da Veiga pleaded guilty to conspiracy to enter into marriages for the purpose of evading immigration laws. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Da Veiga will be held in federal custody pending a March 9 sentencing hearing.

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 3:23 PM | Permalink

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