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U.S. Department of Justice Stephen J. Murphy Suite 2001
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For Immediate Release: Contact: Gina Balaya (313) 226-9758
August 16, 2007 |
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Strike Force Charges Miami Infusion Clinic Billing Company Owner With Conspiring To Defraud Medicare Of $170 Million
United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy announced today that Mohamad Mustapha Harajly, 39, formerly of Dearborn, Michigan was charged in an Indictment with Naturalization Fraud, that is, unlawfully procuring his United States citizenship through fraud and false statements. Mr. Murphy was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Brian Moskowitz of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Indictment alleges that Harajly, a Lebanese national, unlawfully and fraudulently procured his United States citizenship by failing to disclose and falsely denying his affiliation with the designated foreign terrorist organization, Hizballah, on immigration documents.
United States Attorney Murphy said, “Our Office continues to vigorously and systematically pursue those who have obtained their U.S. citizenship, green cards or other immigration benefits unlawfully. The notion that an immigrant with a criminal history in another country can rest easy once he gets his citizenship papers or green card in America is a false assumption indeed.” Mr. Murphy emphasized, “The Department of Justice and ICE will utilize every criminal, civil, and administrative remedy at our disposal to deprive those guilty of criminal citizenship fraud of their ability to reside in the United States.”
Becoming a citizen of this great country is a privilege, and ICE will not tolerate those who obtain that benefit through lies, fraud, or deceipt" said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Detroit. "This indictment should send a clear message to others out there who have obtained their citizenship unlawfully that ICE and its partners will work vigorously to ensure that only those who play by the rules have this honor bestowed upon them."
Mohamad Harajly faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on the Indictment, in addition to automatic denaturalization upon conviction. Harajly is currently wanted on the charges and believed to be in Lebanon.
An Indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
In announcing the Indictment, United States Attorney Stephen J. Murphy commended the work of the Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who conducted the investigation. The prosecution of Mohamad Harajly is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald W. Waterstreet.