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NY Assemblywoman Gabriela Rosa Resigns, Pleads Guilty To Sham Marriage
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jun 28, 2014
Modified Jun 28, 2014
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jun 28, 2014
Modified Jun 28, 2014
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Gabriela Rosa, a Washington Heights assemblywoman who found herself in hot water this week after she was accused of using a fraudulent marriage to obtain U.S. citizenship, has pled guilty and resigned.
Rosa, a 47-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, admitted in court yesterday that she paid a U.S. citizen $8,000 to marry her in 1996 so she could ultimately become a citizen in 2005. She also pleaded guilty to misrepresenting income on a personal-bankruptcy filing in 2009, leaving out key information like her husband's earnings and ownership of an apartment. She is now banned from holding or seeking political office in the United States.
"Please know that I never violated the confidence you placed in me. I am not resigning because of any wrongdoing connected to my position as your Assemblywoman or a civic and political leader in our community," she wrote in a letter to her constituents yesterday. "Again, thank you for the trust you placed in me and know that as your Assemblywoman, I always sought to represent you with dignity and respect."
Rosa, who was the first Dominican-born woman ever elected to the NY Assembly, held office for nearly a decade after being elected in 2005. She faces 12 to 18 months behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000 as part of her plea deal.
Tagged
corruption
gabriela rosa
ny assembly
Rebecca Fishbein
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