ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Federal agents foiled an attempted bribery scheme where men paid thousands for immigration benefits, according to a government release.
Investigators said Hakeem Omar, 30, and Ibrahim Barrie, 31, and Samuel Bolay, 24, appeared in court Thursday on charges that they conspired to bribe a federal immigration official in return for assistance with their immigration status.
The defendants were arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand, who set detention hearings to take place on Sept. 11, 2012.
According to court documents, beginning in September 2010, and continuing until at least July 2012, Omar, Barrie, and Bolay paid bribes to a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security who was working in a undercover capacity, in exchange for immigration benefits and other benefits.
Investigators said, over a two-year period, the men paid thousands of dollars to the undercover special agent for what they believed was assistance with their immigration status in the United States, including naturalization assistance and obtaining a permanent resident card, commonly known as a green card.
Omar, Barrie, and Bolay are charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
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