Paralegal Fernando Goncalves Pleads Guilty To Fraud

Stamford Connecticut

On September 19, 2012, United States Attorney, David B. Fein declared that Fernando Goncalves, a paralegal who worked at a Stamford firm, pleaded guilty to document fraud. The fifty six-year-old Fernando pleaded guilty in front of United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in a Hartford courthouse.


According to a Stamford Advocate.com article, “Worker at immigration law firm guilty of fraud,” Fernando, a certified lawyer from Brazil, was employed as a paralegal and office manager at a law firm in Stamford, which focuses on immigration law. The paralegal abused his position by filing false visa applications for immigrants. He submitted untruthful statements and deceptive documents on the behalf of eight clients.

The United States Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut article, “Paralegal At Connecticut Immigration Law Firm Pleads Guilty To Federal Document Fraud Charge,” reported on Fernando's duties while working at the Stamford firm. The article states that Fernando was in charge of collecting fees from clients, meeting with promising clients, and filing documents for a variety of federal and state agencies.

The United States Attorney's Office article continued to say Fernando deliberately submitted deceitful visa applications for immigrants. The paralegal is accused for filing eight bogus Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, also known as I-485 forms.

Boston.com article, “Worker at immigration firm guilty of fraud,” claims Fernando charged each of his eight clients more than $7,000.

What did Fernando include in the I-485 forms? According to the United States Attorney's Office article, the fraudulent documents had fabricated affidavits, fictitious rental agreements, made-up employment history and phony letters.

The United States Attorney's Office editorial mentioned that Douglas P. Morabito, Assistant United States Attorney, is currently the lead prosecutor in the case against Fernando. The article also noted that the Fernando case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Detaining Fernando and Sentencing

On June 28, 2012, Fernando was detained at JFK International Airport. The Brazilian attorney was placed under arrest after he arrived in the U.S. from his country. Judge Covello has set the sentencing for early December 2012. The Stamford Daily Voice stated that the paralegal could receive a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. The Brazilian could also be charged up to $250,000 when he sees Covello on December 11.

Conclusion

You might be an attorney, paralegal, or even work in law enforcement; but if you don't follow the same laws citizens adhere to everyday, you will most likely be heading to prison. Fernando had an excellent job and worked for a reputable law firm, but that doesn't give him the authority to abuse his position. Greed might have been the motive in this case since Fernando collected over $7,000 from each of his eight clients. Was it worth it? No. The paralegal will now have to face the judge and fight the charges of fraud. If convicted, the fifty six-year-old could be spending some time behind bars.