A man who allegedly defrauded over 100 illegal Irish immigrants through a bogus legal centre is almost certain to face new charges in Connecticut, a prosecutor has said.
Ralph Cucciniello, who has already been charged in New York with fraud and impersonating a lawyer, is likely to face new charges in New Haven, Connecticut, where he is alleged to have set up a fraudulent legal advice clinic in Yale University's law library.
Mr Cucciniello (55), who was a research assistant at the university, is alleged to have used various offices in the law library to hold meetings with dozens of illegal Irish immigrants who needed his help to secure green cards.
Many paid him $5,000 after he convinced them that he had found a legal loophole that would help them become legal US residents.
Manhattan prosecutors have already charged Mr Cucciniello because many of the victims were living in New York and some paid for the services in New York City. However, dozens more have been reluctant to press charges because they fear deportation.
Insp Timothy Reardon, of the New Haven state attorney's office, told The Irish Timesyesterday that his office was still collecting complaints from victims and was likely to seek Mr Cucciniello's arrest.
Mr Reardon said at least 50 people made complaints that Mr Cucciniello had used Yale offices to run the alleged scheme.
A private investigator working on the case said the final number of alleged victims is likely to be well over 100.
Mr Cucciniello reportedly met a Yale professor at a time when the professor was seeking to exonerate a man convicted of a mafia murder and needed a research assistant.
The professor was unaware that Mr Cucciniello had a string of previous fraud convictions and allowed him to work at the Yale law library.
Mr Cucciniello is alleged to have advertised in the Irish community that he could obtain green cards for $5,000.
One alleged victim said he appeared to be very diligent and frequently called to assure clients of updates in their cases. Mr Cucciniello is due to appear in court in New York in mid-August.