So, it seems an employee in the Clermont, FL driver license office was taking bribes to process fake driver's license applications from illegal aliens. And, it only took four years to catch and prosecute them. I hope the police and sheriff in Lake County have a way to identify all the recipients of fake driver licenses who paid the going rate of $2500+ and arrest them also.
vj
Three charged in citizenship scam
CLERMONT
from:
http://www.dailycommercial.com/localnews/story/031711indictment
BRAD BUCK | Staff Writer
Three people, including one who worked in the Clermont driver license office, have been charged with helping illegal aliens gain U.S. citizenship, according to a federal indictment.
Specifically, the three, all from Winter Garden, allegedly conspired to make false statements in applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
A federal grand jury this month indicted Gaitrie Latchman, 46; Rajin A. Latchman, 28 and Ted B. Shirley, 49, all of Winter Garden. Shirley worked as an examiner in the Clermont office of the state Division of Driver Licenses.
The indictment charges the three with transferring false identification documents and with furnishing altered passports to others, said William Daniels, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Gaitrie Latchman also is charged with applying for and obtaining U.S. citizenship while knowing that she was not eligible.
If convicted on all counts, Rajin Latchman and Shirley face up to 15 years in federal prison, while Gaitrie Latchman faces up to 20 years, Daniels said.
The alleged criminal activity took place between February 2006 and November 2008, the indictment says.
The Latchmans would arrange for illegal aliens to get a Florida driver license. They charged $2,500 to $3,000, the indictment says.
To do this, the Latchmans would supply the aliens with altered documents, according to the indictment. Shirley would help them by sending documents to the state driver license division and would process non-citizens' applications to make it appear that they had presented valid proof of identity and non-immigrant status.
The Latchmans worked with Shirley so their customers would contact only him and avoid scrutiny of the illegal documents.
During this period, Gaitrie Latchman obtained U.S. Citizenship, knowing that she was not eligible, Daniels said.
