Norwalk woman pleads guilty to defrauding immigrants

By John Nickerson
Staff Writer
Posted: 12/17/2009 08:44:29 PM EST
Updated: 12/17/2009 08:44:30 PM EST



HARTFORD -- A Norwalk woman who worked at a Stamford company purportedly providing services for immigrants seeking worker visas pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Katarzyna Miecznikowska, 34, of 109 Dry Hill Road, made her plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Martinez.

Charging between $18,000 and $21,000, Miecznikowska from March 2004 to September 2005 met with immigrants who came to the Stamford offices of The Spartan Group; she claimed she was the office's vice president, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release.

After discussing the immigration process, Miecznikowska would have individuals sign blank visa applications and sign checks that Miecznikowska would deposit into her own bank account.

The applications, which were forwarded to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, would contain the name of businesses sponsoring the workers. The business names on the fraudulent applications, however, had no connection to the individuals seeking the employment visas, the release said.

As a result, Miecznikowska was charged with defrauding immigrants seeking employment visas and mail fraud.

She will be sentenced on March 5 and faces a maximum term of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Staff Writer John Nickerson can be reached at john.nickerson@scni.com.


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