Adkisson Pleads Guilty for Defrauding Immigrants

(Phoenix, Ariz. – April 28, 2004)  Attorney General Terry Goddard announced today the plea agreement with John Alden Adkisson, a retired official with the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, who pled guilty to fraud, a class 3 felony, for defrauding immigrants.  Adkisson promised to provide immigration assistance to more than 20 victims.  He was paid more than $70,000 for services they never received.  

The plea agreement includes a five-year probation term, nine months of which will be served in jail.  He also will pay $73,480 in restitution.

The plea agreement is the result of an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General's Office based on consumer complaints.  Between August 2001 and May 2002, Adkisson falsely misrepresented that he could provide victims with services and paperwork to assist them in attaining legal status.  Adkisson took thousands of dollars from each victim, but failed to provide any of the services promised.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 28 in Maricopa County Superior Court.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General, Adrian P. Fontes.