USCIS Assists in Investigation Leading to Conviction of Florida Couple of Large-Scale Immigration Fraud

TAMPA, Fla.— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assisted in an investigation that led to a federal jury finding Domenico Cingari, 68, and Rosa Cingari, 67, guilty of conspiracy, mail fraud, and making false statements in immigration applications and petitions. They each face up to 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count and up to 20 years in federal prison on each of the 6 mail fraud counts. Domenico Cingari was convicted of two counts of making false statements in immigration applications and his wife was convicted of four counts, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Their sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2016. The couple was indicted on July 9, 2015.

According to evidence presented at trial, Rosa and Domenico Cingari owned and operated R.E.P.C. Accounting and Translations out of their residence in Lakeland, Florida. The Cingaris assisted illegal foreign nationals in obtaining Florida driver’s licenses by filing fraudulent immigration documents. Specifically, they filed Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Most of these applications and petitions submitted to USCIS by the Cingaris contained materially false information. The Cingaris charged their clients between $500 and $1,300 for the fraudulent immigration applications.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and USCIS. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stacie B. Harris and Simon Gaugush.

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