FORMER DIPLOMAT ARRESTED IN DOCUMENT SCAM
July 30, 2009
Norair Ghalumian, a former Armenian Consul in Los Angeles, and four
other alleged suspects have been arrested for selling fake government
letters to Armenians facing deportation from the United States,
the A1plus news service reported on July 30.
US investigators say Ghalumian allegedly charged as much as $35,000 for
each letter, which purported to be issued in the name of the Armenian
government. The letters stated that candidates for deportation from
the United States would not be allowed back into Armenia.
Once presented with the letter, US immigration officials would release
the Armenian detainees. Ghalumian and his accused accomplices deny
the charges, according to A1plus. According to some reports, several
dozen such letters were issued to Armenians in the Untied States who
had been convicted of a felony and who were facing deportation.
Ghalumian was arrested in Los Angeles, home to the largest
Armenian population outside of Armenia, the Armtown news agency
reported. Ghalumian served as the consul in Los Angeles from 1999-2003.