NASSAU, Bahamas — In the wake of a two-year FBI operation that uncovered alleged bribery of officials at the Department of Immigration as part of a wider US visa fraud scheme, Director of Immigration Clarence Russell said he does not tolerate corruption, The Tribune reported November 9.
He said anyone found breaking the law will face the consequences, no matter who they are.
His comments to ZNS News yesterday came after The Tribune exclusively reported on the FBI operation, which found immigration officials were allegedly being bribed to approve work permits that were later used to obtain US visas.
Yesterday, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said it is still seeking two Haitian nationals living in The Bahamas to answer charges of conspiracy and visa fraud.
For his part, Mr Russell was adamant that significant reforms have taken place at the department since he assumed the helm that have deterred corruption.
“If we find that persons were taking it upon themselves to indulge in nefarious activity, they will face the full brunt of the law, plain and simple,” Mr Russell told ZNS. “Regardless and irrespective of who they are. It is totally unacceptable.”
He said he did not tolerate corruption during his 40-year career on the police force, nor during his tenure heading the Passport Office. http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/nov/09/immigration-chief-warns-lawbreakers-amid-fbi-manhu/
