A federal grand jury has indicted two Atherton residents for an immigration visa fraud scheme, the Department of Justice announced on Tuesday (March 26).
Danhong “Jean” Chen, 54, and her ex-husband, Jianyun “Tony” Ye, 51, were both charged with 14 counts of visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors, according to a Department of Justice press release.
In addition to visa fraud, the indictment against the two, which was filed on March 7 and unsealed on March 25, includes obstruction of justice and identity theft charges.
Chen was the sole attorney at the Law Offices of Jean D. Chen, a San Jose immigration law firm. Ye was the law firm’s office manager.
The indictment alleges that Chen and Ye prepared and submitted fraudulent documents and falsely described how applicants would qualify for the EB-5 visa program. That program grants U.S. residency to foreign nationals who invest in American businesses.
The indictment alleges that Chen and Ye put clients’ money into an investment property, which Chen and Ye themselves managed under a straw owner, a person who owns a property on another person’s behalf.
The law office’s clients invested about $52 million in EB-5 program projects, according to the press release.
The indictment also charges Chen and Ye with obstruction of justice related to investigations being conducted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the FBI.
The SEC filed a civil complaint against the two in October 2018, stating that Chen and Ye received more than $12 million in undisclosed commissions.
Ye appeared in court on March 25 and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on a $750,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 15.
Chen is at large, officials said. She became a naturalized citizen of Dominica in October 2018 and left the country shortly after the SEC filed its complaint, they said. She may be using the name Maria Sofia Taylor.
Chen earned a graduate degree from the Law School of Xiamen University, China, and was awarded a law degree from Boston University Law School in 1997, according to the law firm’s website.
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Comments
Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Mar 28, 2019 at 7:15 am
on Mar 28, 2019 at 7:15 am
Yes! More proof we need a wall to stop immigration!
(Uh.....)
Anyhoot - how similar is this to the Kushner family selling real estate visas in China?
"The SEC is investigating the Kushner family's company over its use of a controversial visa program"
Web Link
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 28, 2019 at 10:26 am
on Mar 28, 2019 at 10:26 am
Not sure "naturalized" citizen of Dominica is the correct term. She probably bought her citizenship for $100,000 through this program - Web Link
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 28, 2019 at 12:48 pm
on Mar 28, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Can those visas be revoked? They should be, if issued fraudulently, and holders deported.
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:04 pm
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Downtowner: Seriously? That's what you're concerned about, the victims, who were likely enticed by the assurances of an attorney? Yes to entering this country under ill-advisement, but I'd go after the (many?) other attorneys who CONTINUE to do this. And something tells me this ain't new, either (read Kushner).
Atherton: other
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:34 pm
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:34 pm
Kushner learned well about these EB1 scams.
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:35 pm
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:35 pm
@ Beth
And you know these "victims" are innocent? How? Did they signed their own declarations & applications without reading them for accuracy? If the applications were accurate, Jean & Tony wouldn't have had to falsify the qualifications. Who were the strawmen?
And yes, of course both Kushner & his sister did this - old news.
Atherton: other
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:43 pm
on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Billy Dee Wall- Yes we need the wall.
Atherton: other
on Mar 28, 2019 at 2:48 pm
on Mar 28, 2019 at 2:48 pm
YES!! Do it now!!
Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Mar 28, 2019 at 3:43 pm
on Mar 28, 2019 at 3:43 pm
A wall, no matter how high, wouldn't keep these conniving folks out.
Menlo Park: The Willows
on Mar 30, 2019 at 9:21 pm
on Mar 30, 2019 at 9:21 pm
@Billy de Wall:Please explain how a wall would have helped vere.
another community
on Mar 31, 2019 at 12:31 am
on Mar 31, 2019 at 12:31 am
It would not have helped here. That does not mean it wouldn’t help in other situations. The only nexus between the Wall and this story I can think of is there is a lot of illegal immigration activities taking place in one way, shape or form these days.
Atherton: Lindenwood
on Mar 31, 2019 at 3:19 pm
on Mar 31, 2019 at 3:19 pm
More wall won't slow down immigrants.