Woman accused in immigration fraud ring

Daily News Wire Services
Article Last Updated: 04/30/2008 06:17:01 AM PDT

A Montebello woman accused of bilking clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through an alleged large-scale immigration fraud ring is scheduled to be arraigned today.

Romina Zadorian, 38, remained jailed after being taken into custody Monday by investigators from the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation in connection with 46 counts of grand theft of personal property, four counts of forgery and one count of identity theft.

Zadorian allegedly told clients she could help them get U.S. residency, citizenship and work permits.

"Her victims were varied," said Deputy District Attorney Dana Aratani. "She ran an immigration consulting business, so she would take significant sums of money from respective clients. In some cases, she pretended to be an attorney, but in all cases she indicated that she could help them with their immigration status."

Prosecutors allege that Zadorian has defrauded 46 victims, with losses ranging from $6,000 to $20,000 each.

The investigation was launched as the result of consumer complaints, officials said.

Prosecutors want her bail be set at $1.15 million.

If convicted of all charges, Zadorian faces 37 years and four months in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

For more news and observations about crime in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, check out Mean Streets, the Daily News' crime blog.

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