Six Charged Over Alleged Sham Marriage Scheme

Federal prosecutors in Massachusetts charged six people in an alleged decade-long scheme that arranged hundreds of sham marriages to help immigrants obtain legal status. Prosecutors identify U.S. citizen Jennifer Gonzalez as the alleged ringleader, saying she arranged about 18 to 20 marriages annually, charged $38,000 to $40,000 per marriage and generated more than $6 million; five defendants were arrested, while the sixth is serving a state prison sentence. The other defendants allegedly entered multiple marriages for payment, and Gonzalez allegedly coached participants to create evidence of genuine relationships, including joint bank accounts and life insurance. Authorities also allege Gonzalez fraudulently received SNAP benefits and invested proceeds in businesses and property in the Dominican Republic; the defendants face charges including marriage fraud and harboring immigrants, and the investigation is ongoing.