The United States Wednesday confirmed it is investigating a visa racket involving an official at its embassy in Guyana. GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Thursday July 4, 2013 – The United States Wednesday confirmed it is investigating a visa racket involving an official at its embassy in Guyana. In a brief statement, the State Department said it “is aware of allegations of improprieties relating to a Consular Officer formerly assigned to Georgetown, Guyana”. While it provided no details of the allegations, Washington said the claims against the officer are being taken seriously. “The Department takes all allegations of misconduct by employees seriously. We are reviewing the matter thoroughly. If the allegations are substantiated, we will work with the relevant authorities to hold anyone involved accountable,” it added. Media reports here said that the un-named Consular Officer had been taken into custody by federal agents several weeks ago and is helping in the investigations. In 2000, a consular officer was arrested for selling a substantial number of visas for entry into the United States. The officer later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment by a Federal Court in Chicago, Illinois. The sentence was later reduced after he appealed. A Guyanese national was also given a lengthy jail term for his role in the scam. Read more: caribbean360/index.php/news/guyana_news/806276.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=4a82d84b69-Vol_8_Issue_123_News7_4_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-4a82d84b69-39362441#ixzz2Y6ivHRYa
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 18:40:13 +0000