NH State Trooper, DMV Worker charged in illegal alien identity fraud scheme.

[link to www.wmur.com]

CONCORD, N.H. -- Seven people -- including a state trooper and an employee of the Division of Motor Vehicles -- have been charged in connection with a bribery and identity fraud scheme that allowed illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses, the attorney general's office said Wednesday.

Officials said the arrests were the result of an unprecedented state-federal joint investigation that spanned several months.

Attorney General Michael Delaney said Donna Rockholt, a worker at the DMV, was paid to provide driver's licenses for people who presented false identification. Among those who received driver's licenses were people charged with illegally entering the country.

"When illegal aliens obtain legitimate driver's licenses by fraudulent means, it allows them to apply for other documents and essentially build a false identity," said Matthew J. Etre, acting special agent in charge of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Investigations in Boston.

Investigators said state Trooper Fred Stamatatos was paid to provide salvage inspection stickers for vehicles that weren't inspected in accordance with state law. The alleged recipient of the salvage inspection stickers, Adalberto Medina, was also charged with bribing Rockholt.

The investigation was initiated by the Department of Safety. Commissioner John Barthelmes said his department is working to maintain the integrity of the DMV's license and registration system.

"Systems are in place to identify fraudulent activities, and when detected, we are prepared to pursue criminal investigations against any state employee who violates their official duties and the public's trust in furtherance of criminal activity," he said.

Rockholt, 47, of Manchester, was charged with three felony counts of bribery in official and political matters, three counts of official oppression and three counts of unsworn falsification. Bail was set at $200,000, and she is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Medina, 39, of Manchester, was charged with four counts of bribery in official and political matters. He is also scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Stamatatos, 40, of Pelham, was charged with bribery in official and political matters, six counts of unsworn falsification and three counts of official oppression. Bail was set at $100,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

Four other people are facing fraud-related charges, including misuse of identity documents and fraudulent use of a Social Security number.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are anticipated.

[link to www.wmur.com]

CONCORD, N.H. -- Seven people -- including a state trooper and an employee of the Division of Motor Vehicles -- have been charged in connection with a bribery and identity fraud scheme that allowed illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses, the attorney general's office said Wednesday.

Officials said the arrests were the result of an unprecedented state-federal joint investigation that spanned several months.

Attorney General Michael Delaney said Donna Rockholt, a worker at the DMV, was paid to provide driver's licenses for people who presented false identification. Among those who received driver's licenses were people charged with illegally entering the country.

"When illegal aliens obtain legitimate driver's licenses by fraudulent means, it allows them to apply for other documents and essentially build a false identity," said Matthew J. Etre, acting special agent in charge of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Investigations in Boston.

Investigators said state Trooper Fred Stamatatos was paid to provide salvage inspection stickers for vehicles that weren't inspected in accordance with state law. The alleged recipient of the salvage inspection stickers, Adalberto Medina, was also charged with bribing Rockholt.

The investigation was initiated by the Department of Safety. Commissioner John Barthelmes said his department is working to maintain the integrity of the DMV's license and registration system.

"Systems are in place to identify fraudulent activities, and when detected, we are prepared to pursue criminal investigations against any state employee who violates their official duties and the public's trust in furtherance of criminal activity," he said.

Rockholt, 47, of Manchester, was charged with three felony counts of bribery in official and political matters, three counts of official oppression and three counts of unsworn falsification. Bail was set at $200,000, and she is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Medina, 39, of Manchester, was charged with four counts of bribery in official and political matters. He is also scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday.

Stamatatos, 40, of Pelham, was charged with bribery in official and political matters, six counts of unsworn falsification and three counts of official oppression. Bail was set at $100,000, and he is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday.

Four other people are facing fraud-related charges, including misuse of identity documents and fraudulent use of a Social Security number.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are anticipated.


Wow close to home Commissioner John Barthelmes is my neighbor.