Sentencing is set Monday for a Los Angeles paralegal who admitted her role in a scheme to violate U.S. immigration laws by preparing and filing bogus documents that sought permanent residency and citizenship for members of a Philippines-based church.
Maria De Leon, 77, a resident of Koreatown and the owner of a legal document service, pleaded guilty in 2022 to a single federal conspiracy charge, which carries a prison sentence of up to five years.
The defendant admitted her part in a scheme with administrators of a church known as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, according to her plea agreement, which says De Leon is cooperating in the government’s case…