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Vietnam-based officer pleads guilty to taking US$3m in bribes for US visas

A Vietnam-based US Foreign Service officer has pleaded guilty to accepting more than US$3 million in bribes in exchange for visas which allowed more than 500 people to illicitly enter the United States.

WASHPOST

A Vietnam-based US Foreign Service officer has pleaded guilty to accepting more than US$3 million in bribes in exchange for visas which allowed more than 500 people to illicitly enter the United States.

Michael Sestak, who had worked in the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City since 2010, was arrested in May. Sestak, 42, was responsible for issuing visas after reviewing applications and conducting interviews.

As part of a plea agreement on Wednesday, Sestak admitted conspiring with US and Vietnamese citizens to recruit customers who would pay US$15,000 to US$70,000 in exchange for non-immigrant visas from Vietnam to the US. Many of his customers had previously been denied visas, prosecutors said.

US Attorney Ronald Machen said Sestak's scheme "corrupted the integrity of a process designed to screen visitors to the United States, a process that obviously has implications for our national security. His motivation for betraying his oath of office was cold, hard cash".

Four others have been charged in the bribery and money-laundering conspiracy that generated at least US$9.78 million. Sestak admitted trying to hide some of the proceeds through the purchase of nine properties in Thailand.

Sestak, who is co-operating, faces up to 24 years in prison under sentencing guidelines. He also has agreed to pay penalties of at least US$6 million. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Vietnam-based officer took US$3m for visas
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