Crime Monitor February 10 2003

Sexual Harassment Case against Resort Owners by Clients US Consular Employee charged with Visa Fraud Charges

US Consular Employee charged with Visa Fraud Charges

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff of the Criminal Division and United States Attorney Michael Shelby of the Southern District of Texas announced today that a criminal complaint was filed at federal court in Laredo, Texas this morning charging Miguel Partida, a GS Visa Adjudicator, with conspiracy to commit visa fraud while working at the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

Partida, 41, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was arrested this afternoon in Laredo, Texas by agents of the Diplomatic Security Service, Department of State. Diplomatic Security Service agents arrested three Mexican citizens on similar charges on Jan. 30. Defendants Sergio Genaro Ochoa-Alarcon, 31, Benjamin Antonio Ayala-Morales, 34, and Ramon Alberto Torres-Galvan, 34, are in federal custody pending indictment in this case. The investigation, which began approximately seven months ago and ultimately resulted in the closure of the Consulate office on Jan. 29, 2003, continues.

Partida, who is on administrative leave pending the outcome of his case, appeared in federal court this afternoon where he was advised of his right to representation by counsel. United States Magistrate Judge Adriana Arce-Flores set bond at $150,000. A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 10th at 11 a.m.

According to the complaint filed in federal district court in the Laredo Division of the Southern District of Texas, agents of the Diplomatic Security Service initiated an investigation last year into allegations that Consulate employees were involved in a scheme to provide visas and border crossing cards in exchange for money. Several participants in the scheme are alleged to have admitted their involvement in the scheme. The scheme allegedly involved persons buying visas without required interviews and without determinations that a person was qualified for a visa.

These complaints arise from an ongoing investigation being conducted by special agents of the Diplomatic Security Service, United States Department of State and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, United States Department of Justice. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Department of Justice, Criminal Division, trial attorneys Peter Zeidenberg of the Public Integrity Section and Jim Oliver of the Domestic Security Section and Assistant United States Attorney Dixie Morrow of the United States Attorney's Laredo Division office. -keralamonitor.com

 

Sexual Harassment Case against Resort Owners by Clients

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department today announced that the owners and operators of the Midway Mobile Home Park in Junction City, Kansas, have agreed to pay $300,000 in damages and penalties to settle a lawsuit alleging that one of the owners sexually harassed women tenants at the Park.

Under the agreement announced today, which must still be approved by the United States District Court in Topeka, Kansas, the defendants will pay $270,000 to the victims and $30,000 in civil penalties to the United States. The agreement also requires the defendants to refrain from future contact with tenants, institute a sexual harassment policy and complaint procedure, and train all Midway Mobile Home Park employees in fair housing laws.

"Sexual harassment in housing is a serious and all-too common problem," said Assistant Attorney General Ralph F. Boyd, Jr. "Today's settlement will ensure that this conduct does not recur at Midway Mobile Home Park, and sends a strong message to others that this conduct will not be tolerated."

The Justice Department complaint alleged that one of the park owners made repeated and unwelcome sexual comments to female tenants, offered female tenants reductions in their rent and other privileges in exchange for sexual acts, entered female tenants' trailers without permission and without a legitimate reason, and inappropriately touched female tenants.

This case began when a former tenant at the Park filed a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) alleging that one of the park owners had sexually harassed her. After investigating the complaint, HUD determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that discrimination had occurred and the matter was referred to the Justice Department. The Department filed suit on behalf of that tenant and other victims of the alleged harassment.

"Sexual harassment has no place in America's housing market and - as this case demonstrates - HUD is prepared to act wherever and whenever it occurs," said Carolyn Peoples, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Department of Justice to root out discrimination."

Anyone who has information about this case, or believes they were a victim of harassment at the Midway Mobile Home Park, may contact the Justice Department's Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at 1-800-896-7743 or at www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/index.html. Individuals who believe that they have been otherwise discriminated against in violation of the Fair Housing Act may contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visit the website at www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm. -keralamonitor.com