Immigration Fraud Case Results in Jail Time, $550,000 in Restitution
Gregory Chavez
LOS ANGELES — In the recent past, 53-year-old Gregory Chavez was an unlicensed private investigator. He presented himself as a “special agent.” He carried a badge of some sort and talked of his work with law enforcement.
Chavez used his ruse to bilk tens of thousands of dollars from the families of immigrants who were detained in America, saying he would help them. Instead, he helped himself.
It all caught up to Chavez, who, last week, received a 15-year sentence to jail after pleading no contest to twelve counts of grand theft, two counts of perjury, and one count each of extortion, conspiracy, and using a counterfeit seal.
His crimes go back to September of 2010. He promised the families of detained immigrants that he would assist them with their cases. He collected money from these families but never provided any of the services. Sadly, “none of the detainees were ever released as a result of Chavez’s work,” Deputy District Attorney Leonard Torrealba said.
Chavez will serve 10 years in jail and then submit to five years of mandatory supervision. In addition, he is ordered to pay $550,000 in restitution.
