10 charged in alleged fraudulent marriage scam

November 23, 2009 (CHICAGO) Five of those charged appeared in court on Monday afternoon, including 53-year-old Manny Aguja who is an immigration attorney in Chicago as well as two Cook County employees.

Prosecutors say Aguja's office prepared paperwork in support of the false marriages.

The indictment claims foreign nationals primarily from the Philippines were part of at least 15 sham marriages.

Prosecutors say U.S. citizens were promised cash in return for marrying a foreigner. And they would receive payments each month until the immigrant obtained U.S. citizenship.

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