08-20-04 -- Patel, Nayan -- Guilty Plea -- News Release

South Plainfield Man Admits Visa Fraud to Help Indian Nationals Enter U.S. Illegally

NEWARK - A South Plainfield man admitted today that he fraudulently brought more than 25 Indian nationals into the United States, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Nayan Patel, 31, an Indian national living in South Plainfield, pleaded guilty to a one-count Information charging him with knowingly bringing more than 25 aliens into the United States, knowing that the aliens had received visas as a result of Nayan Patel's fraudulent applications, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Epner.

Following the guilty plea, U.S. District Chief Judge John W. Bissell set sentencing for Nov. 22. Judge Bissell granted an Aug. 27 bail hearing for Patel, who has been held without bail since his arrest.

The defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in federal prison to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, Nayan Patel could also be ordered to pay more than $325,000 in restitution.

Patel, who is in the United States on a three-year work visa, was originally charged in a criminal Complaint and arrested at JFK International Airport on July 10. Patel made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald J. Hedges on July 15, when Patel was ordered held without bail.

Patel was the CEO of Comps Technology, Inc., the offices of which were located in South Plainfield. From about February of 2001 through about December of 2003, Patel submitted more than 25 fraudulent visa applications stating that Comps Technology would employ each alien in a computer related position and that each alien would receive a particular annual salary, from approximately $37,000 to approximately $45,000.

Patel admitted today that he charged each of these visa applicants approximately $13,000 to submit the visa application. Patel said that he never intended that Comps Technology would employ the aliens, nor did he intend that Comps Technology would pay the aliens the salaries set forth in the visa applications. Patel told Chief Judge Bissell that he submitted fraudulent contracts, which falsely stated that Comps Technology had been hired to perform information technology outsourcing work, in support of the visa applications.

Under an Information, a defendant waives the right to have his case presented to a grand jury and, instead, pleads guilty to charges presented by the Government.

Christie credited Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the direction of Special Agent In Charge Kyle Hutchins.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Epner, of the U.S. Attorney's Public Protection Unit.

Defense Attorney:

Anthony Mack, Esq. Newark

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