WATERBURY RESIDENT INVOLVED IN
MARRIAGE FRAUD SCHEME IS SENTENCED
David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FOUAD ELHADIRI, 32, a citizen of Morocco last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to approximately six months of imprisonment, time served, for his role in a marriage fraud scheme.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in November 2010, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiated an investigation into fraudulent marriages that had been arranged between Moroccan nationals and U.S. citizens in order for the Moroccan nationals to unlawfully immigrate to the U.S. The investigation included the use of consensual recordings, an examination of immigration and airline records, and other information.
The investigation revealed that Elhadiri, a conditional green card holder in the U.S., wanted his brother to immigrate to the U.S. from Morocco. Elhadiri then recruited a U.S. citizen, paid for her travel to Morocco, had her marry his brother, and then paid her expenses for a period of time after the false marriage. After entering the U.S., Elhadiri’s brother never lived with his wife, but instead lived with Elhadiri. Elhadiri’s brother eventually became homesick and returned to Morocco.
During the course of the investigation, when his brother’s wife and her friend informed Elhadiri that ICE-HSI agents were “asking questions,” Elhadiri told them to lie to agents about the false marriage.
On December 1, 2011, Elhadiri pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Elhadiri, who has been detained since his arrest on October 6, 2011, will be deported to Morocco.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ICE Homeland Security Investigations and Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Fraud Detection and National Security Unit. The Connecticut State Police, and the Norwalk, Trumbull, Bridgeport and Naugatuck Police Departments have assisted the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rahul Kale.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:
U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov
