Thread: NY-Storefront ’pastors’ accused in NYC immigrant scam

Thu, April 16, 2009

Storefront ’pastors’ accused in NYC immigrant scam

Thursday, April 16, 2009 - Added 3h ago



NEW YORK — Two men who operated a storefront church are accused of swindling dozens of their followers out of more than $500,000 in an immigration scam.

Gregorio Gonzalez and Gerardo Bello were to be arraigned Thursday on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and scheme to defraud.

The district attorney says the so-called pastors of the Iglesia Pentecostal de Salvacion Eterna ripped off mostly Ecuadorean immigrants by promising to help expedite visas and permanent legal residency.

Prosecutors say the men don’t have legal representation yet. There is no phone number listed for the church.

Gonzalez’ sister Maria also was arrested in the scheme. Her attorney says she is fighting the case and has pleaded not guilty.


http://www.bostonherald.com/news/nation ... 8&srvc=rss

Criminal duped by criminals.