Cook County Lawyer, Employees Busted In Sham Marriage Scheme
According to the Chicago Crime Examiner, a Chicago lawyer and several current and former Cook County employees have been indicted in a scheme to arrange sham marriages. The purpose of the marriages was to enable foreign citizens, mostly Filipinos, to become U.S. citizens.
The apparent ringleader was Maria F. Cruz, who charged about $3000 to arrange each marriage. Cruz was employed by Cook County Traffic court until this summer, when she moved to California.
Others charged included:
- Manny Aguja - 53, of Chicago, an immigration attorney with an office at 3144 West Montrose Ave.
- Marc Aguja - 53, of Chicago , Manny’s twin and an employee at the law officer
- Celeste Ligutan-Lopez - 36, of Chicago, also an employee at the law office
- Keisha McGary - 33, of Chicago, a county employee
- Eugene Wilson 30, of Chicago, a county employee
- Maria Cyd Adriatico-Fernandez, 53, of Oakbrook
- Sonia Maki, 43, of Chicago, a county employee
- DeShawn Barksdale, 39, of Chicago, a county employee
- Latrice Wilson, 37, of Chicago, a county employee
There has to be a special place in hell for those who betray their own country for money!