Illegal Immigrant Crime Victims Deserve Justice 

A recent news article highlighted the difficulties encountered by illegal immigrants who become the victims of crime. It was an excellent public service that had the potential to raise public awareness of the fact that scam artists target this vulnerable population.

The article also made appropriate suggestions including that victims contact the district attorney. However, the article warns that victims are not guaranteed protection from deportation, and while this is true, I fear that it gives the incorrect impression.

The public should know that it is both the policy of my office and the law in New York City, pursuant to mayoral executive order, that no crime victim’s immigration status will be reported to any government agency.

My staff will not even ask a complainant’s immigration status unless it is somehow relevant to proving the criminal conduct of the scammer.

No victim should ever have to fear justice.

In the DA’s Office, we have prosecutors who specialize in fraud, especially fraudulent cases where the victims are immigrants. Two of those prosecutors are Peter Kolp and Richard Farrell.

PETER KOLP 
 

Peter Kolp is a Senior Investigative Assistant District Attorney in the Rackets Division.  He is a trial attorney who also conducts long-term investigations in organized crime, eavesdropping warrant investigations, immigration fraud, embezzlement, grand larceny, identity theft, and credit card fraud. 

Peter began his career in law enforcement after graduating from Brooklyn Law School in 2000. His tenure at the Brooklyn DA’s office started as an Assistant District Attorney in the Domestic Violence Bureau and was later assigned to the Rackets Division.

In the past seven years, Peter has tried numerous felony trials, including complex organized crime conspiracies, credit card fraud, and workers’ compensation cases. In addition to his heavy caseload, Peter frequently visits Brookyn’s mosques, temples, churches, schools and community centers to speak about immigration fraud, identity theft and cyber crimes. 

He also meets regularly with the Community Action Project to address fraud committed against immigrants.   The group discusses topics such as initial reporting, prosecution of the crimes, confidentiality of victims, and outreach programs.

RICHARD FARRELL
 

Richard Farrell is Counsel to the DA’s Rackets Division where has worked since 2001.  In this role, he investigates and prosecutes many high profile cases, generally involving fraud.

Rich has worked in the DA’s Office since 1992, investigating and prosecuting cases in various bureaus including Criminal Court, Domestic Violence, Grand Jury and the Civil Rights (Hate Crimes) Bureaus. Like Peter Kolp, he speaks frequently in the community on consumer protection, focusing especially on identity theft, real estate fraud, immigration fraud and predatory lending, all areas where he has particular expertise.

Rich and his wife, Joyce, have two children, Michael, six, and Meghan, four.

The news articles listed below, courtesy of the National District Attorney’s Association (ndaa.org), may be of interest to you or members of your community. 

SHINING A LIGHT ON GUN OFFENSES
 

Baltimore could become the first big city to publicize names, photographs and home addresses of people who are convicted of shootings or other gun-related crimes, the latest twist on a national crime prevention trend of exposing names of certain types of criminals.

Legislation that Mayor Sheila Dixon introduced in the City Council last week would direct the Police Department to create a database for gun offenders that is similar to the existing online statewide sex offender list. She said she would like the names to be public, and offenders would have to register with the department, in person, every six months or face a misdemeanor charge and possible jail time.

Other cities - including Chicago, San Francisco and Boston - that have seen increases in gun violence in the past few years are considering similar measures for gun offenses, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police endorsed the concept at its annual conference in Boston last fall. New York City began a registry this year but it is not open to the public.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.ci.gun23jul23,0,5533033,print.story 

NEARLY 6,000 GUNS TURNED IN DURING POLICE BUYBACK

Almost 6,000 handguns and assault weapons were turned over to Chicago police Saturday in exchange for $100 debit cards, officials said.

The third "Don't Kill a Dream, Save a Life" program was a "huge success," police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.

"In light of the recent tragedies with so many young people's lives being taken, I think that people are starting to recognize that guns are dangerous," Bond said. "I think now a sense of urgency is there."

This year, police appealed to residents to turn in guns by using the families of victims of gun violence to get the message out. The parents of 16-year-old Blair Holt, who was fatally shot on a CTA bus in May, helped police with the program. More than 20 religious institutions served as drop-off locations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About 745 replica and BB guns also were collected in exchange for $10 debit cards.

Last December, in a similar buyback program, police netted about 1,500 guns from 15 churches. About 3,000 guns were collected in April 2006.