Immigration security

Owner of Los Angeles immigration advocacy business sentenced to more than 5 years in prison for immigration fraud

The owner and operator of a Los Angeles-based business known as the Coalición Latinoamericana Internacional (CLI) was sentenced Wednesday to five years and two months in state prison after pleading guilty to felony charges involving grand theft, attempted perjury, and conspiracy to violate the Immigration Consultants Act.

Oswaldo Rafael Cabrera, 48, was originally accused in December 2016 of 22 criminal counts, including grand theft, attempted grand theft, attempted perjury, and conspiracy to engage in the unlawful practice of law. His wife, Maria Marcelina Rodas, 54, who was also convicted in the case, was sentenced to three years’ felony probation for conspiring to violate the Immigration Consultants Act.

After filing the initial criminal complaint, additional victims came forward, and on Feb. 14 the Attorney General’s Office filed an amended complaint alleging 36 felony counts and two sentencing enhancements.