Thread: CT: Bogus Lawyer Back in Slammer

Bogus Lawyer Back in Slammer
July 4, 2007

By April Drew

THE bogus lawyer who scammed hundreds of Irish undocumented out of thousands of dollars for the promise of a green card has been arrested in Rhode Island for the second time in two months.

Ralph Cucciniello, 55, of Bradford, Connecticut was arrested last Thursday, June 28, while staying at the Marriott Residence Hotel in Rhode Island, near T.F. Green Airport. Cucciniello, who was extradited to Connecticut on Monday, July 2, is currently being held in New Haven Correctional Facility until his court appearance on July 17. A $3.5 million bail bond has been set.

According to Tim Reardon, supervisory inspector for the office of the state’s attorney in New Haven, Cucciniello has been charged with one count of racketeering, two counts of larceny in the first degree (over $10,000) 56 counts of larceny in the second degree ($5,000 or more) and 56 counts of fraudulently impersonating an attorney.

Cucciniello, who told his clients he worked for the Yale Law clinic, was apparently wearing a Yale University t-shirt when detectives in Rhode Island came knocking on his hotel room door with an arrest warrant.

The scammer fooled his mainly Irish victims into believing that he had discovered a loophole in the immigration system and he could get those who were undocumented green cards within the year. For this service he charged an upfront fee of $5,000.

A spokesperson from Yale Law School, Jan Conroy, told the Irish Voice that Cucciniello is not or never was a paid employee or staff member at Yale. She did admit, however, that Cucciniello served as a volunteer researcher assistant for another faculty member on a project not related to the school.

“We suspended Cucciniello’s access as soon as we discovered what was going on last week,â€

While I don't agree with taking advantage of illegals and this man should be in jail, I don't agree with illegals taking advantage of americans. If we send someone taking advantage of illegals to jail, should we also not send illegals to jail and then deport them immediately.

Originally Posted by Beckyal

While I don't agree with taking advantage of illegals and this man should be in jail, I don't agree with illegals taking advantage of americans. If we send someone taking advantage of illegals to jail, should we also not send illegals to jail and then deport them immediately.

Good point. Reeks of a selective prosecution. I like to see bogus lawyers prosecuted. But there are cases brought against American citizens that are far less egregious that those crimes committed by the illegals that illuminate the double standard among our prosecutors.