ICE Attorney Arrested For Alleged Bribery

LOS ANGELES (CN) - Constantine Peter Kallas, a senior attorney with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, was arrested for allegedly accepting a $20,000 bribe from an immigrant seeking documentation to enter the United States, the Justice Department reported in a press release.

Kallas, 38, and his wife, Maria, 39, were arrested at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland, Calif. A search of their home revealed the couple had received "thousands of dollars" from illegal immigrants and green-card holders in exchange for immigration benefits, according to the search warrant affidavit. The Kallases had allegedly set up two phony companies - Botno Inc. and Mississippi Valley Consulting - to file employment petitions with the Department of Labor and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility has reportedly identified 45 undocumented workers and two permanent legal residents who have each paid the couple thousands of dollars for immigration benefits, the affidavit claims.

"The egregious acts of corruption alleged in this case are extremely disturbing to those of us who have sworn to serve the United States," said U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien. "As a law enforcement official, Mr. Kallas abused his position in the Department of Homeland Security simply to line his own pockets."

The Kallases were arrested on charges of conspiracy, bribery and making false statements.

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