PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence attorney pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion in connection with a scheme to defraud immigration clients and evade the payment of federal taxes, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Joseph Molina‑Flynn, 43, "admitted that between 2019 and 2023, he devised and executed a scheme to defraud some immigration clients by collecting legal and filing fees for services he did not perform and providing some clients with false information related to the status of their immigration matters," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a media release.
"Molina-Flynn admitted that he collected approximately $98,000 from immigration clients for legal services not provided and expenses not incurred," the release said. "He used the fraudulently obtained funds to operate his law practice and pay personal expenses. "
According to the release, "Molina-Flynn also admitted that he failed to file a federal income tax return for 2021 and took steps to conceal income and payroll tax obligations, including using his law firm's operating account to pay personal expenses."
Molina-Flynn's sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 17.
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