January 15, 2005

"Driver's license scandals raise national security worries"

The AP offers a roundup of the recent driver's licenses scandals:

Connecticut had developed a reputation from as far away as Florida as a place where people could buy fraudulent driver's licenses for as much as $3,500 without having to produce any identification. DMV workers also took payoffs for stealing the identities of legitimate license holders, police say.

Investigators suspect hundreds of licenses were fraudulently issued, sparking worries about illegal immigration, identity theft and even threats to national security...

...Similar scams have occurred around the country:

_ In New Jersey, nine state motor vehicle employees pleaded guilty to a scheme that involved payoffs for bogus licenses.

_ In Illinois, a federal investigation into the trading of bribes for driver's licenses led to dozens of convictions and the indictment of former Gov. George Ryan on racketeering and other charges.

_ In Virginia, more than 200 people are losing their licenses because of suspected fraud by a former Department of Motor Vehicles worker who allegedly sold licenses for as much as $2,500 each...

...The fraud alarms officials amid fears of identity theft and terrorism. Fake ID cards made it possible for the Sept. 11 terrorists to board commercial flights...

In addition to those four states, there was also a scandal in Michigan.

Posted to Immigration_dls at January 15, 2005 08:37 PM

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