Romanian Woman In Atlantic City Admits Sham Marriage Plot For Citizenship

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — A 33-year-old Atlantic City woman admitted in Camden federal court to conspiring to commit marriage fraud in a case tied to immigration status, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey.

U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced that Antonia-Beatrice Mircea, a Romanian national living in Atlantic City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Christine P. O'Hearn. The charge is conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.

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According to statements made in court and documents filed in the case, Mircea entered into a sham marriage with U.S. citizen Victor Purilla so she could obtain permanent residence in the United States.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mircea falsely stated on forms submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that she lived with Purilla in Atlantic City. Court statements and filed documents say Purilla never lived with Mircea and instead maintained his own residence in Absecon.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 25, 2027. The charge carries a maximum penalty rather than a guaranteed outcome.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said conspiracy to commit marriage fraud carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.