Citizenship Scam Dupes Immigrants

Four people were arrested Tuesday on charges of participating in a novel immigration scam in which one suspect allegedly donned a black robe and posed as a judge to swear in victims as U.S. citizens.

The deception included a quiz on American history and politics and an obligatory Pledge of Allegiance, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Andrew Cowan.

Most of the victims were Korean and Filipino nationals who shelled out as much as $25,000 each after being promised that their immigration applications would receive fast-track processing.

Cowan said the suspected ring leader, Elzbieta Malgorzata Bugajska, 50, of Los Angeles told applicants that she was a federal judge with authority to bypass normal bureaucratic procedures in obtaining citizenship. Also charged in the fraud case were John Patrick Bradley, 56, of Los Angeles; Yolanda Miel Lubiano, 62, of Sun Valley; and Lorena Velasquez Garcia, 39, of South Gate.

Victims interviewed by Immigration and Naturalization Service investigators described a swearing-in ceremony at Lubiano’s home in October 2000, in which Bradley, clad in a judge’s robe, conferred “citizenship” on 14 people.

While reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, they said, Bradley forgot some words and had to be assisted by one of the immigrants. The victims’ accounts were described in a search warrant affidavit filed in connection with the arrests.

Bugajska also sold genuine Social Security cards for $750 to immigrants steered to her office by associates, according to authorities. Garcia, a 15-year employee of the Social Security Administration, was accused of providing the cards and sharing in the profits. Lubiano was accused of introducing Filipino clients to Bugajska and collecting payments from them.

The yearlong probe was conducted by investigators from the INS and the Social Security Administration.