State: 'Phony lawyer' defrauded immigrants out of legal fees

By Joe Dowd
BridgeTower Media Newswires

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Bronx man is accused of defrauding immigrants out of legal fees after representing them as a lawyer in at least 527 court appearances since 2010, the state Attorney General’s Office announced Tuesday.

Vincent Gonzalez faces millions of dollars in penalties and fines after being accused of operating as a “phony lawyer” providing legal advice and immigration services to the Latino community, according to New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.

Schneiderman’s office on Tuesday filed a criminal and civil contempt order against Gonzalez claiming he violated a 2010 court order that prevented him from “engaging in fraudulent and illegal practices” providing immigration services and the unauthorized practice of law.

“It’s unconscionable that a scammer would prey on immigrants in order to make a quick buck – and it’s even more egregious to continue to do so in violation of a court order,” Schneiderman said.

Following the 2010 court order, Gonzalez was directed to pay civil penalties of more than $6 million and more than $127,000 in restitution and damages.

But beginning in 2015, investigators received complaints alleging Gonzalez once again was representing himself as an immigration attorney, providing immigrants with legal advice without proper legal authorization, and promising to perform other legal services in connection with criminal and immigration cases.

Attorneys must be licensed in the State of New York by the New York State Unified Court System, Office of Court Administration.

Gonzalez was operating under the company name “God-Man Society Club Inc,” located at 930 Grand Concourse, the Bronx, the A.G.’s office said. The company’s website openly offered legal services, claiming that “since being established in 2001, we have provided the Bronx and surrounding area with reliable immigration, criminal and civil law services. We offer a high-success rate and we promise to do our job to the best of our ability,” according to investigators.

The Attorney General’s office received information from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirming that Gonzalez has filed a Notice of Appearance as Attorney or Representative in at least 527 immigration matters since the 2010 order and judgment.

Court papers say Gonzalez told one victim that he was an attorney who could provide immigration-related services and assist in a pending criminal case. Gonzalez told the victim that he would charge $1,500 as an investigation fee; $5,000 as an initial retainer and another $8,000 to complete the criminal case; and an additional $3,000 for bail if the victim were to be arrested, according the A.G.’s office.

After paying $650 toward the investigation fee, the victim became skeptical of Gonzalez’s ability to represent him and the reasonableness of the costs, and stopped communicating with Gonzalez.

Despite the court order and judgment, Gonzalez has failed to make any payments toward the restitution, civil penalty and court costs, investigators said.

The contempt order, filed in New York County Court, seeks full payment of the prior judgments, jail time and fines. Gonzalez face up to six months for the civil contempt charges and 30 days for the criminal contempt charges.