March 19, 2009
RMV Worker Accused Of Issuing Licenses To Illegals

BRAINTREE (WBZ) ―

An employee with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles in Braintree is accused of issuing valid Massachusetts driver's licenses to undocumented aliens using other people's identities.

Janice Washington, 48, has been charged with identity theft after a six-month long investigation into the sale of genuine Puerto Rican birth certificates and Social Security cards to undocumented aliens.

According to the arrest affidavit, Washington accepted more than 30 $1,000 cash bribes from the undocumented aliens in exchange for issuing the driver's licenses using the identities of legal residents.

The RMV released a written statement Thursday afternoon saying it has been cooperating with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

It said: "While this investigation has uncovered an alleged identity theft scam, Massachusetts drivers can be assured that the case does not involve the misuse of personal information or the misappropriation of taxpayer funds."

At her apartment building in Brockton, a neighbor was surprised to hear the news.

They described Washington as a kind, polite woman who was known to have connections.

"She told me one time that if you have a problem with RMV situations, she might help," said neighbor Angel Cruz.

Washington has been suspended from her position at the RMV without pay.

She faces up to 15 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine if convicted.

http://wbztv.com/local/rmv.worker.ident ... 63396.html