Immigration Employee Arrested For Illegally Charging For Legal Services

Following an eight-month investigation, a Southampton woman was arrested for allegedly attempting to defraud Latinos seeking help with immigration services.

Maria Sanchez-Dios, 39, was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Southampton Town Police Headquarters, said Southampton Police Lt. Susan Ralph.

According to Ralph, Sanchez-Dios was employed with Immigration Legal Services of Long Island, Inc. when the company became aware that she was charging unnecessary governmental fees to the unsuspecting victims, Ralph said.

Sanche-Dios would also allegedly withhold additional legal services to the victims once they had paid the "illegal" fees.

The department immediately contacted law enforcement when they discovered the ruse.  

Sanchez-Dios was charged with immigration assistance services fraud, scheme to defraud and grand larceny.

She was held overnight for arraignment at Southampton Town Justice Court.

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