02 May 2003
Visa Fraud Case at U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka Leads to Nine Indictments
(State Department says illegal issuance of U.S. visas is "a serious crime") (380) After an 11-month investigation involving U.S. and Sri Lankan authorities, two former American employees of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo were indicted in Sacramento, California, on charges relating to visa fraud. According to a statement released May 1 by State Department Deputy Spokesman Philip Reeker, seven other individuals were also indicted on related charges in connection with the case. "Illegal issuance of U.S. visas is a serious crime," said the statement, adding that the Consular Section in Colombo has been temporarily closed for a few days, except for emergency services "in order to ensure the integrity of the visa issuance process." Following is the text of the statement regarding the visa fraud indictments: (begin text) U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman May 1, 2003 Statement by Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman Visa Fraud Indictments Two former American employees of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Acey R. Johnson and Long N. Lee, were indicted today in the U.S. District Court in Sacramento, California on charges relating to visa fraud. Seven other individuals also were indicted on related charges in connection with this case. These indictments are the result of an eleven-month investigation conducted by the Diplomatic Security Service, the FBI office in Sacramento, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento, the Department of Justice Public Integrity Section, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, and Sri Lankan authorities. Law enforcement officials received valuable assistance from the Bureau of Consular Affairs in this investigation. In order to ensure the integrity of the visa issuance process, the Consular Section in Colombo has closed temporarily for all but emergency services, for a thorough review of operations. The Consular Section is expected to reopen within a few days. Illegal issuance of U.S. visas is a serious crime. The Department of State maintains extensive programs to vigorously combat visa fraud and investigates all allegations of such criminal activity. We will continue to work closely with the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office to prosecute all the defendants in this case. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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