A SENIOR American immigration agent and his wife, accused by the ICAC of illegally selling US visas in Hong Kong, claim they were set up by his corrupt former boss.
Breaking their silence over an Independent Commission Against Corruption raid on their home in March, James and Heddy DeBates criticised the anti-graft body for accepting allegations made against them by Jerry Wolf Stuchiner and one of his informants.
But Mr DeBates said that when he told the ICAC about illicit dealings at other missions, nothing was done. 'There are other consulates that are selling visas but they are still operating,' he said.
The conviction of Mr Stuchiner on forged passport charges and the investigation into Mr and Mrs DeBates rocked the Immigration and Naturalisation Service and the United States Consulate.
Mr DeBates claimed Mr Stuchiner, the service's former chief in Hong Kong, made up accusations against him in exchange for a deal to release him from jail before Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule. Mr Stuchiner was imprisoned after admitting carrying five fake Honduras passports.
An ICAC source denied there was a deal with Mr Stuchiner, who was released just six days before July 1.
The DeBates, now living in Los Angeles, said they wanted to clear their names. Mr DeBates, who is on sick leave, said he wanted to return to work and open a Beijing office.