Three people have been charged in Washington County in connection to a $500,000 fraud scheme that offered victims “expedited citizenship” through a fake attorney.
Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson and Dakota County Attorney Kathryn Keena announced the charges Wednesday, saying Kira Milany Romero Pinto, Denis Rigoberto Aquino Martinez, and Luis Baltazar Leiva Aquino “targeted Spanish-speaking immigrants in local church communities.”
The three are accused of defrauding 25 victims of more than $500,000. They allegedly promised immigration legal services, employment, and expedited citizenship through a nonexistent attorney named “Isabella Jason.” The victims were allegedly asked to pay thousands of dollars in cash and sign contracts for services that were never provided.
The transactions typically occurred at a Lake Elmo residence shared by two of the defendants and the victims were primarily recruited from Spanish-language church services in Inver Grove Heights and Woodbury, according to Magnuson’s office.
Pinto is facing one count of racketeering and 11 counts of theft by swindle; Martinez is charged with one count of theft by swindle and two counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle; and Aquino faces two counts of aiding and abetting theft by swindle.
The case is being jointly prosecuted by the Washington County Attorney’s Office and the Dakota County Attorney’s Office. Charges were filed in Washington County, and court proceedings will be held there.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
