An immigration officer based in Santa Ana, Calif., took thousands of dollars in bribes — and 200 egg rolls — from applicants seeking citizenship and green cards, federal prosecutors said.
Mai Nhu Nguyen, 47, of Irvine, was arrested June 6 after accepting a $2,000 bribe from an immigrant who was seeking U.S. citizenship, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release Wednesday.
In 2011, Nguyen allegedly solicited and took a $1,100 bribe from an immigrant seeking a green card and 200 egg rolls from an immigrant seeking citizenship.
Nguyen had the power to approve or deny applications for immigration benefits, prosecutors said. She worked out of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Santa Ana for the last eight years.
Nguyen was free on $20,000 bond and will be arraigned July 1. Each count of bribery by a public official is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison.
Flickr photo credit: 401(K) 2013
More Southern California Stories:
- Westminster Church Burglar Photos Released
- OC Man Accused of Killing Neighbor Over Fireworks
- Shooter Who Ambushed LAPD Officers Caught on Video
- Suspect in Hollywood Stabbing Death Had Been Arrested Dozens of Times
- Prop 8 Decision: Wait Continues for Same-Sex Couples
- Found: The "Mad Men" Brothel of Angelino Heights
