Pair charged with issuing illegal religious visas to Cuba
US immigration officials have charged two men with helping thousands of people travel to Cuba with fraudulent religious visas.
They say the suspects used fake church names and other information to avoid travel restrictions to the Communist island, reports Voice of America.
US officials announced the indictment following a months-long probe that involved local police, immigration officials and the Treasury Department.
They say Victor Vazquez and David Margolis are accused of helping some 4,500 travelers avoid Cuba-related travel regulations. The two men are accused of taking advantage of a Treasury Department program that grants permits to churches for religious and humanitarian missions to Cuba.
US Attorney Alex Acosta says the pair obtained scores of religious travel permits, using non-existent pastors and false church names, such as the First Church of Christ. He says the licenses were then offered to travel agents for sale in the Miami area.
“An individual could then go into a travel service provider, indicate a desire to travel to Cuba, pay a fee of $250 and then have the ability to travel as if they were a member of this non-existent church,” said Mr Acosta.
Acosta says the alleged sale of the bogus licenses generated about $1 million in revenue during a nine-month period last year.
Authorities said the pair could face up to five years in prison, if convicted.
Officials expressed concern that the alleged incident could affect thousands of others who conduct legitimate religious missions to Cuba each year.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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