A U.S. Department of State official was indicted on fraud and bribery charges for allegedly issuing visas to foreign nationals in exchange for cash. Piotr Parlej was arraigned Thursday in U.S. District Court in Washington and pleaded not guilty to visa fraud, bribery and conspiracy charges, which were outlined in a 13-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury Wednesday. He is accused of fraudulently issuing visas for money while working at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia. | Well, isn't that special.. |
Theft or fraudulent issue of U.S. visas has become one of the most dangerous crimes since Sept. 11, 2001, for fear the papers could admit a terrorist into the country. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay ordered Parlej to remain in jail while he weighs the prosecution's argument that the defendant is likely to leave the country if freed on bond. The judge is expected to rule on the bond status Monday. "Mr. Parlej poses a serious risk of flight ... he has the knowledge and the means to flee," Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenda J. Johnson told the judge. "This man is a world traveler, well educated and fluent in at least three languages." Prosecutors also noted he has very few ties to the United States and none in the Washington region, with the exception of a friend in Gaithersburg with whom Parlej said he has been residing. Parlej left his native Poland 15 years ago, eventually moving to the United States, where he gained citizenship. He has worked at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia as a consular associate for at least the past two years, but State Department officials declined to detail his exact length of service. | Didn't figure State would cooperate |
As a U.S. consular, Parlej's duties included interviewing visa applicants and, if the necessary qualifications were met, issuing visas. The indictment alleges Parlej issued unwarranted visas to six foreign nationals in Armenia for as much as $10,000 on each occasion. | Hope they've got a APB out on all of them. Wonder exactly which countries they are really from? |
"He was abusing his position as a trusted employee of the State Department," Johnson said. The State Department's Diplomatic Security Service led the investigation and, upon informing Parlej of the allegations, urged him to come back to the United States. | Urged? URGED??? How about "returned in handcuffs in the diplomatic bag?" |
He returned to the Washington region, where he was arrested Wednesday. "The people of the United States have a right to have immigration rules applied fairly and properly," said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Wainstein in a statement Thursday. "A United States consular official who violates those rules for personal financial gain undermines the integrity of our visa application and review process, and erodes public trust in our consular officials around the world." | Not that we had any trust in consular officials anyway |
If convicted, Parlej faces between five and 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. A status hearing is set for Feb. 18. |