Victims Of Ex-Attorney Accused Of Illegal Immigration Services In Campbell Sought

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – Investigators are looking for additional possible victims of a man suspected of providing illegal immigration services out of Campbell, a Santa Clara County sheriff's spokesman said Friday.

James Lopez possibly provided fraudulent services to more than 1,000 people from an office at 1560 La Pradera Drive near San Tomas Aquino Road, sheriff's Sgt. Richard Glennon said.

Lopez allegedly didn't have an immigrant consultant clearance from the California secretary of state or a $100,000 bond to operate the business, Glennon said.

The suspect was arrested on Oct. 25 and many victims have come forward, some as recently as Thursday, Glennon said.

Lopez was an attorney who faced numerous disciplinary issues before he resigned from the state bar in 2002, according to Glennon.

The sheriff's Notario Fraud Investigations Unit looked into Lopez, who allegedly continued to provide illegal immigration services and practiced law without a license, Glennon said.

Some victims who Lopez assisted lost significant sums of money and delays in their requested immigration services, according to Glennon.

Lopez is suspected of forgery, grand theft and other alleged crimes, Glennon said.

Anyone who is a victim of immigration service fraud is asked to call the sheriff's Notario Fraud Investigations Unit at (408) 808-4599 or send an email to tips@sheriff.sccgov.org

• ALSO SEE: Lt. Gov. Newsom, Students Ask CA Campuses Be Declared 'Sanctuaries'

--Bay City News/Image via SCCSO