Politics & Government

Alpharetta Attorney Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Harbor Illegal Aliens

Prosecutors charged he filed fraudulent applications for visas on behalf of his clients.

An Alpharetta immigration attorney pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens as part of a money-making scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta.

Parmesh Dixit, 40, of Alpharetta was indicted on May 26, 2010, on 28 counts of visa fraud, 42 counts of alien harboring for the purpose of private financial gain, one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and one count of conspiracy to harbor aliens in violation of the law, a news release said.  Dixit pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to harbor aliens in violation of the law.  He could receive a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

“As a specialized immigration attorney, this defendant used his knowledge of immigration laws and regulations to defraud the government and secure employment visas for aliens who did not qualify for them.  Dixit got rich off of his willingness to break the law and over-charge his clients for his filing of false applications for visas with the government.  Dixit has now pleaded guilty, must surrender his law license, and faces prison,” U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a statement.       

Prosecutors said Dixit charged his clients higher than normal fees as he claimed he could obtain visas for those who would otherwise not be allowed to work in the United States.  Evidence in court revealed that Dixit assisted approximately 37 aliens in breaking the law through this scheme and earned $1 million, the news release said.

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In one case, prosecutors said Dixit charged two aliens from India approximately $80,000 for his role in obtaining legal permanent resident status for them. 

A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled before United States District Judge Julie E. Carnes.

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