DHS Officer Charged With Bribery
DHS Officer Charged With Bribery
Elliot R. Hernandez Worked In Customs, Immigration Services
POSTED: Friday, October 23, 2009
UPDATED: 8:19 am CDT October 23, 2009
HOUSTON -- A Department of Homeland Security adjudications officer has been charged with bribery, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.
Elliot R. Hernandez, 44, worked in citizenship and immigration.
U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson said Hernandez helped immigration benefit applicants with their paperwork for a fee. The benefit, except the application fee paid directly to customs and immigration services, is free and there's no requirement to pay an employee to submit an application.
The FBI and DHS investigated and arranged for two people to meet with Hernandez to apply for benefits. According to the complaint, Hernandez was paid more than $1,300 in bribes and gratuities to facilitate the application process.
The complaint also showed that Hernandez provided secure government computer records on those two people, and others, for a fee.
Hernandez was arrested on Thursday and released on bond.
http://www.click2houston.com/news/21401492/detail.html
