Posted on 12/23/2006 7:11:21 AM PST by Graybeard58
BRIDGEPORT -- A Waterbury woman who worked as an examiner for state Department of Motor Vehicles has been convicted of participating in a scheme to sell hundreds of driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and felons.
Janette Rodriguez-Roman, 34, of 56 Diane Terrace in Waterbury, collapsed into sobs as the verdict was announced Thursday in Bridgeport Superior Court.
"Oh my God! Oh my God, my children, my children," she cried as marshals handcuffed her and led her away. Her lawyer said she has "four or five" children and was in process of adopting another.
Rodriguez-Roman was convicted of 38 counts, including violating the state Corrupt Organizations Racketeering Act and multiple counts of bribery, bribe receiving, conspiracy to commit bribe receiving and second-degree forgery.
She remains jailed on $400,000 bond. Her attorney, Robert Serafinowicz of New Haven, said she likely will appeal.
Rodriguez-Roman is the fifth former Bridgeport motor vehicles worker to be prosecuted in the scheme to sell thousands of illegal licenses, but the first to go to trial.
The other four have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
Serafinowicz said he believes the jury's decision was based more on fears of terrorists gaining licenses than hard evidence against his client.
He also attacked the credibility of the witnesses, noting one man had frequent run-ins with the law.
"I don't know how you would believe anything said by any of them beyond a reasonable doubt," Serafinowicz said.
Rodriguez-Roman faces up to 330 years in prison when she is sentenced Feb. 2.
The alleged ringleaders of the scheme, Venita Bines, of Bridgeport, and Tracy Stevenson-Lucas, of Stratford, are serving 7-year sentences.
Authorities said the defendants sold more than 1,500 licenses and nearly 1,000 Connecticut identification cards between June 2000 and December 2004. The state has recovered only a small portion of the licenses, authorities have said.
Upto 330 years? Isn't that excessive? Sandy Burglar got a slap on the wrist.
"I have 2 or 3 kids myself, love them all."
Heh...today's "whatever" attitude, by her lawyer, no less.
And maybe some more Al Queda pilots in training have new ID.
Regards.
Not likely people lik Teddy Kennedy or Pelosi will get the word, but if we can depend on juries to put these people down for 330 years at a whack the cost of bringing in illegals will increase dramatically.
Don't worry. The actual sentence will be more like 330 lashes with a wet noodle. Or it would be if corporal punishment were allowed.
You sure sound like a jackass to me.
That's ok. Being an average American I have 2.1 kids myself.
Cheers!
This is a great beginning.
After she goes to prison, civil lawsuits can filed against her for damages done by the illegal aliens with the illegal licenses.
Not really.
She was convicted on 38 counts. So that 330 is if they gave her the maximum on every count and have her serve all sentences consecutively. I don't believe that has ever happened.
She probably will get ten to fifteen.
If he catches wind that it was to benefit illegal aliens---probably.
I bet it's a hoot to try and find shoes and clothes for that .1 child. :-)
"La Mordida" ever increasing. Our Diversity Is Truly Our Strength!
Up to 330 yrs in prison?Serves her right.No sympathy.
Damn straight. Nothing will discourage similar schemes in the future like her severed head on a pike next to the city gates. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
So, she's shocked because she got convicted for doing something illegal. My heart just doesn't bleed for her...or her 4 or 5 kids. She should have thought about her 4 or 5 kids before she broke the law....but that would be logical right?
Your wife is right. She is a smart lady. I will not vote for known adulators either. If you cannot be true to your spouse, then you certainly cannot be trusted to do what is good for the public interest. I like Newt and think he is very intelligent but he has an uncontrollable sexual area in his life that could be used to destroy him politically. Rudy too does not have that area of his life under control. He doesn't even seem to recognize it as a problem. Bill Clinton was the same and look what we suffered with for 8 years.
Lots of people feel that way. Something the Republicans should take note of. That is also not their only negatives. Rudy has enough to fill a truck and Newt also.
This is not a personal slam on them, only an observation.
Just an observation. "4 or 5 kids" how does someone not know how many kids she has and that includes her lawyer who's been on this case for years.
330 years is the maximum if all were served to completion. Sersational headline with no real base in reality. She'll probably get 10-15. She should have taken the plea bargain. She rolled the crap-dice of life and crapped out. She cost the taxpayers extra for the trial and should be punished.
Personally she should get 20-life if I was the judge.
Well, Merry Christmas to you, too. When I was in the Marine Corps we were taught to respect our elders.
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