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Posted on Fri, Aug. 18, 2006



Man who falsified immigrant work applications to be sentenced today

By DARRAN SIMON
dsimon@MiamiHerald.com

Gomez Accime, the executive director of a Haitian-American social services group who was convicted of mail fraud and falsifying applications for work permits, is scheduled to be sentenced today in U.S. District Court.

Accime, 53, headed the Haitian-American Community Help Organization, a Lauderdale Lakes-based agency. Immigration officials said the group overcharged applicants, getting $450 each for work permit applications that were filled out with incorrect codes. The group filed more than 10,000 applications, most of which were rejected, officials said. The applications were filed between April 2003 and June 2005.

A jury acquitted Accime earlier this year of the overall conspiracy to defraud thousands of immigrants. But the jury found Accime guilty of mail fraud and presenting false information on work permit applications for two clients.

His attorneys say he deserves six to 12 months in jail. The U.S. Attorney's Office is seeking up to 20 years. U.S. District Judge Joan A. Lenard is set to sentence him at 11 a.m. today.






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