Newcastle Woman Pleads Guilty To Charges She Falsified Immigration Application

A Newcastle woman appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday to plead guilty to immigration fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

According to federal officials, Shilan Zhao, 54, conspired with her ex-husband to commit immigration fraud by submitting false documents to federal officials. Zhao's husband, Jianjun Qiao, 53, is a Chinese government official, and is wanted on similar charges.

Zhao pleaded guilty to charges that, under penalty of perjury, she lied on an EB-5 application about her marriage to Qiao, and about the source of an investment they were going to make in a U.S.-based project. The EB-5 program gives foreign nationals who invest in economic development projects in the U.S. the chance to secure a visa.

Zhao and Qiao allegedly claimed to be married on immigration documents, but they were actually divorced. Zhao faces up to five years in federal prison; her sentencing is set for Nov. 6 next fall. She has also agreed to forfeit interests in properties in Newcastle, Flushing, New York, and Monterey Park, Calif., federal officials said.

“The EB-5 investor visa program requires all immigrant investors to accurately document the source of their funds in their application,” IRS Special Agent Anthony J. Orlando said in a statement. “IRS Criminal Investigation will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that ill-gotten gains received in foreign countries are not fraudulently laundered through the U.S. financial system.”

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