MASS - Registry worker accused of promising illegals licenses for cash

Registry worker accused of promising illegals licenses for cash

bostonherald.com
By Matt Stout
Friday, November 16, 2012

A Registry of Motor Vehicles employee who police say promised illegal immigrants driver’s licenses at $2,000 a pop and claimed she could their delay deportation proceedings through an inside source at Immigration and Customs Enforcement now faces a 27-count indictment after her arrest today at the registry’s Watertown branch, authorities said.

Adriana Ferreira, 48, of Brighton is expected to appear in Suffolk Superior Court today for an arraignment on a litany of charges, including bribery, corruption and fraud in connection with the alleged scheme, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

Ferreira, who was arrested this morning by federal agents and state police, took money but never provided any driver’s licenses, authorities said.

Investigators said they also determined she never had any contact at ICE or any other agency, as she claimed.

Ferreira is an employee at the Watertown branch, and began working for the registry in August 2010, according to RMV spokeswoman Sara Lavoie.

“The Registry of Motor Vehicles has zero tolerance for any behavior that compromises the integrity of our operations or intimidates our customers,” Lavoie said. “We work strongly and collaboratively with law enforcement. The RMV will continue to allow these agencies the access that they need to uncover and prosecute any illegal activity within our branches.”

ICE officials said in a statement that agents began an investigation into Ferreira in March 2011, determining that she “was using her position at the RMV to defraud illegal aliens.”
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Registry worker accused of promising illegals licenses for cash - BostonHerald.com