Mom admits guilt in marriage scam
A Honolulu limousine driver has admitted to conspiring with others to bring unauthorized immigrants into the United States by having them enter into sham marriages with U.S. citizens, including her daughter.
Lee Tran, 58, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie Kobayashi under a plea deal in which she has agreed to cooperate with law enforcement, including testifying against co-defendants.
"She's accepted responsibility for her conduct and is very sorry for what happened," her attorney David Klein said.
According to the plea agreement, from November 2002 to October 2005, Tran agreed with Andy Cuong Nguyen, also known as Phillip Lam, to arrange for Tran's daughter, Melinda Tran, and other U.S. citizens to travel to China and marry Chinese nationals.
Lee Tran allegedly met with the group before their departure from Honolulu and helped them get the required documentation. She received between $500 and $1,000 from Nguyen for each U.S. citizen whose travel she arranged.
Tran faces up to five years in prison and/or $250,000 in fines when sentenced Dec. 21. Melinda Tran pleaded guilty to the same charge of conspiracy on Wednesday.