JULY 21, 2000

CORONA WOMAN CHARGED WITH STEALING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS GIVEN TO HER BY IMMIGRANTS FOR HELP WITH IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown joined by New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir and New York City Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Jane Hoffman announced today the arrest of a Corona woman on charges of stealing money entrusted to her by immigrants for fees to the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.

District Attorney Brown said, "Immigrants to this country can be especially vulnerable to deception and fraud when someone promises to help them navigate the process of obtaining the necessary documents to work and remain in the United States, to become a citizen or bring family members to this country. People, who in many instances are making very little money and working at more than one job, put their faith and their finances in the hands of the defendant who in turn allegedly ripped them off."

New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir said, "This suspect preyed upon and profited off of a trusting public who came to her for assistance," said New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir. "They paid her their hard earned dollars for immigration services that were never provided. We will continue to pursue and investigate those involved in fraud and deceit as aggressively as any other criminal."

Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jane Hoffman said, "It’s outrageous that innocent consumers trying to get work permits were ripped off. Instead of getting what they paid for, the defendant allegedly refused to give them refunds and threatened to have them deported. Consumer Affairs working with the police department and the Queens District Attorney’s Office was able to get the money back for seven victims. Some of them paid as much as $2700 for nothing."

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Maria Noris Arevelo, 47, of 55-12 111th Street, Corona , Queens. According to the charges, the defendant’s company, G&G Services and Training, at 39-06 103rd Street Corona advertised help with immigration and deportation problems as well as teaching the information necessary to become a citizen. Instead of providing these services, it is alleged that the defendant kept the fees for her own use. The defendant is charged with grand larceny, scheme to defraud and issuing bad checks. She faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison if convicted.

It is alleged that for approximately five years the defendant has been offering help to the Spanish speaking immigrant community through her business, G&G Services and Training. She accepted fees for releasing people from INS detention pending INS proceedings among other services offered and then never turned the money over to INS. The relatives remained in detention. When dissatisfied customers tried to get their money back she allegedly threatened them with deportation.

The investigation leading to the arrest was conducted by Det. Frank Bovino of New York City Police Department’s 115th Precinct under the supervision of Lt. Christopher White and Detective Evelyn Alegre of the Queens District Attorney’s Detective Squad under the supervision of Lt. Al Velardi and the overall supervision of Captain Edward T. Brady..

Assistant District Attorney Diane Peress of District Attorney Brown’s Economic Crimes Bureau which is under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Brian Mich and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Peter A. Crusco, is in charge of the case.

It is to be noted that a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.