U.S. Official Based In T.O. Allegedly Took Bribes To Approve Visas
Posted August 26, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
U.S. federal prosecutors claim a State Department official who works out of the American Consulate in Toronto accepted free flights with strippers, fancy meals and hotel rooms to help employees of a jewelry company obtain travel documents.
Michael John O’Keefe, the deputy non-immigrant visa chief at the U.S. Consulate, was indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges Friday. The man he allegedly took the gifts from, Suni Agrawal, the chief executive of the Manhattan-based STS Jewels, was also charged.
According to authorities, Agrawal, an Indian national with legal residency in the U.S., sent O’Keefe the names of employees who needed papers.
O’Keefe allegedly fast-tracked and approved visas for 21 STS workers, despite the fact that one of his colleagues had previously denied some of the applications because terrorists have been known to use jewels to raise funds.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, American authorities have tightened rules surrounding non-immigrant visas, including those for students, tourists and workers.
Agrawal allegedly sent O’Keefe an e-mail on Jan. 4, 2004 that read: “Your hotel booking is confirmed in Hilton Millennium in midtown Manhattan. Two rooms are booked in your name. The car service will be there at the airport to take you to the hotel.”
O’Keefe allegedly accepted a $3,000 (U.S.) ring from Agrawal the following day.
That June, after renewing visas for five of Agrawal’s employees, authorities say O’Keefe flew to Las Vegas with two strippers.
