News Releases
DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO OFFERING A BRIBE TO A SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL
September 20, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
David E. Nahmias, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and Roland H. Maye, Special Agent in Charge, Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration, announce that SAMUEL MARIN, 30, of Rome, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to two counts of a federal indictment charging him with offering a bribe to a public official and falsely claiming to be a United States citizen. According to Nahmias and the documents and information presented in court:
On July 8, 2005, SAMUEL MARIN approached an employee of the Social Security Administration's Rome, Georgia, District Office about obtaining a Social Security card. When the employee informed MARIN of the proper procedure for applying for a card, MARIN offered to pay the employee $2,000 for her assistance in obtaining the card. The employee informed her supervisors, who in turn contacted the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General ("OIG"). Working with OIG special agents, the employee telephoned MARIN and agreed to assist him in obtaining a Social Security card in exchange for money. On July 19, 2005, MARIN went to the Rome District Office. MARIN presented a California birth certificate to the employee and admitted to her that it was counterfeit. MARIN met the employee several hours later outside the District Office and handed her an envelope containing $2,000 in cash. OIG special agents made audio recordings of the employee's telephone call to MARIN, and they made audio and video recordings of MARIN's interactions with the employee, including his handing her the bribe. Subsequent to his arrest, MARIN admitted that he is not a U.S. citizen.
United States Attorney David E. Nahmias stated, "This case demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting aliens who try to corrupt public servants to fraudulently obtain citizenship documents."
MARIN could receive a maximum of eighteen years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for December 9, 2005 at 1:30, before United States District Judge Harold L. Murphy.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Office of the Inspector General, Social Security Administration.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Paul Jones is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced NAH-me-us), United States Attorney or Charysse L. Alexander, Chief, Public Corruption and Government Fraud, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.