Thread: ICE attorney arrested for alleged immigrant bribes

Thanks for the update on this one Jean.

Life in prison........well, I think that is pretty harsh for something like this. Then again, why do we let the illegals who commit crimes, while here illegally, off so easily?

both articles added to the homepage

http://www.alipac.us/article3718.html

Originally Posted by AE

Thanks for the update on this one Jean.

Life in prison........well, I think that is pretty harsh for something like this. Then again, why do we let the illegals who commit crimes, while here illegally, off so easily?

It may be "harsh" but it's deserved if convicted on all counts. This guy was placed in a position of authority and abused that authority, not only personally enriching himself, but in the process, he put this country in danger by allowing in people who may not have been capable of gaining citizenship on their own merits. I know that seems somewhat meaningless when we as a nation, refuse to secure our borders. But, it is what it is.

I wouldn't worry about this guy getting life anyway. In the end, he will be offered a plea deal , plead guilty to two or three felonies, in exchange for the remainder of the charges to be dropped. He will get a substantial fine which will stick with him for the rest of his life because he hopefully will no longer be allowed to pratice law as a result of his law license being revoked. He will probably get 10 years jail time max.

And they do need to go after those individuals who may have gained citizenship through this guy. Whatever they gained should also be revoked as they were also culpable in this scheme.

They need to charge him with human smuggling too. That's what it equates to as a result! This just proves our laws and system is fine if only followed correctly!

ICE counsel, wife face more counts in bribery case

ASSOCIATED PRESS

8:51 p.m. November 10, 2008

LOS ANGELES – A federal grand jury has indicted a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney and his wife with more than 70 new counts stemming from a scheme to adjust the immigration status of immigrants.

ICE Assistant Chief Counsel Constantine Kallas, 38, and wife Maria Kallas, 39, both of Alta Loma, have pleaded not guilty to 75 counts, including conspiracy, acceptance of a bribe by a public official and money laundering.

Maria Kallas has been released on $200,000 bond, while her husband remains in custody. If convicted, they each face up to life in prison. Trial is slated to begin in March.
The couple were arrested in June at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino, where they were allegedly accepting a bribe. The 75-count indictment was announced Monday.

The indictment said the couple used a pair of companies they had set up to file false employment petitions with federal authorities for dozens of illegal immigrants and some legal permanent residents in exchange for immigration benefits.

About $950,000 beyond Constantine Kallas' salary had been deposited in the pair's bank accounts since 2000, federal officials said Monday.

Attorney Diane Bass, who represents Maria Kallas, said her client is innocent. An e-mail message left for attorney Kenneth Miller, who represents Constantine Kallas, was not immediately returned Monday.

Kallas has worked for ICE since 1998 but had been on unpaid leave since January 2007.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/stat ... ption.html